/ ˈdjuːti; NAmE ˈduːti/ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ C , U ] something that you feel you have to do because it is your moral or legal responsibility :
It is my duty to report it to the police.
Local councillors have a duty to serve the community.
I don't want you to visit me simply out of a sense of duty .
your duties as a parent
to do your duty for your country
2.
[ U ] the work that is your job :
Report for duty at 8 a.m.
—see also night duty
3.
duties [ pl. ] tasks that are part of your job :
I spend a lot of my time on administrative duties.
Your duties will include setting up a new computer system.
—see also heavy-duty ➡ note at task
4.
[ C , U ] duty (on sth) a tax that you pay on things that you buy, especially those that you bring into a country :
customs / excise / import duties
duty on wine and beer
—see also death duty , stamp duty ➡ note at tax
•
IDIOMS
- on / off duty
—more at bounden , line noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French duete , from Old French deu owed, based on Latin debitus owed, from debere owe .