# duty

/ˈdjuti/ (US) · /djˈuːti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/duty
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. responsibility

noun · CEFR B1

something that you must do because it is morally right or legally required.

For teachers: a moral or legal obligation; a task that one is bound to perform by virtue of their position or conscience.

- It is our duty to help people who are in trouble.
- The judge reminded the jurors that it was their civic duty to remain impartial throughout the trial, regardless of personal biases.

### 2. at work

noun · CEFR B1

the time when you are at work and doing your job.

For teachers: the state of being engaged in professional service or assigned tasks.

- The police officer was on duty when the accident happened.
- Medical residents are often required to remain on duty for twenty-four hours, which raises concerns about fatigue and patient safety.

Usage: often used with the prepositions 'on' or 'off'

### 3. tax

noun · CEFR B2

a tax you must pay to the government, especially on things you bring into a country.

For teachers: a tax or tariff levied by a government on specific goods, especially those imported from abroad.

- You have to pay import duty on electronics bought from other countries.
- The government increased the excise duty on tobacco products in an effort to discourage smoking and boost public health revenue.

### 4. engine efficiency

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

how well an engine works compared to the fuel it uses.

For teachers: the measure of an engine's efficiency, specifically the work performed per unit of fuel consumed.

- The engineer checked the duty of the steam pump to see if it was wasting coal.
- The technical specifications detailed the duty of the pumping engine, measuring the foot-pounds of work achieved per bushel of fuel.

### 5. dog's business

noun · CEFR B2 · Humorous · Informal

a polite way to talk about a dog going to the toilet.

For teachers: a euphemistic reference to the act of animal excretion.

- I need to take the dog outside so he can do his duty.
- The neighbor complained that the owner was not cleaning up after his pet had done its duty on the shared lawn.

## Examples

- It is my duty to report any safety problems I see.
- The security guard felt it was his duty to stay at his post until the replacement arrived.
- While the legal requirements are clear, the ethical duty of a physician often extends beyond mere compliance with hospital regulations to include the holistic well-being of the patient.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.