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duty

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noun British English pronunciation: duty /ˈdjuːti/ 
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singularduty
pluralduties
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] a legal or moral obligation

    He has a duty under the terms of his contract to pay rent.

    be someone's duty to do something:

    It is your duty as a parent to protect your children.

    owe/have a duty to someone:

    The company has a duty to its shareholders.

    sense of duty:

    He has a strong sense of family duty.

    do your duty:

    I was simply doing my duty as a good citizen.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of duty
    1. a.

      duties

       [plural] things that you have to do as part of your job

      He was too unwell to carry out his administrative duties.

      Police officers are often injured in the course of their duties.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of duty
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] economics a tax that you must pay on something that you buy, or on something that you bring into one country from another country

    The house buyer has to pay duty at 1% of the purchase price.

    duty on:

    The duty on petrol has been raised.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of duty

phrases

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This is the British English definition of duty. View American English definition of duty.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for duty.

 

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