duty

noun [C or U] (RESPONSIBILITY)

/ˈdjuː.ti/

/ˈduː.t̬i/

Definition

B1 something that you have to do because it is part of your job, or something that you feel is the right thing to do: The duty of the agency is to act in the best interests of the child. [+ to infinitive] I felt it was my duty to tell them the truth. You have a duty to yourself to take a holiday now and then. He only went to see her out of duty (= because he thought he should). You should report for duty (= arrive at work) at 8 a.m. on Monday. What time are you off/on duty (= when do you finish/start work) tomorrow?Duty, obligation and responsibility be duty bound to do sth › to have to do something because it is your duty: We are duty bound to justify how we spend our funds.Duty, obligation and responsibility

(Definition of duty noun (RESPONSIBILITY) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)