duty

The definition of a duty is something that is required by one's religion, job, position or the laws.

(noun)

An example of a duty is the act of students completing homework assignments.

See duty in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. duties

the obedience or respect that one should show toward one's parents, older people, etc.
conduct based on moral or legal obligation, or a sense of propriety: one's duty to vote
any action, task, etc. required by or relating to one's occupation or position: the duties of a secretary
a sense or feeling of obligation: duty calls
service, esp. military service: overseas duty
a payment due to the government, esp. a tax imposed on imports, exports, or manufactured goods
Brit. the performance of a machine as measured by the output of work per unit of fuel
the amount of work that a machine is meant to do; rated efficiency under specified conditions
☆ Agric. the amount of water needed for irrigation per acre per crop
also duty of water

Origin: ME duete < Anglo-Fr dueté, what is due (owing): see due & -ty

See duty in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. du·ties

An act or a course of action that is required of one by position, social custom, law, or religion: Do your duty to your country.
a. Moral obligation: acting out of duty.
b. The compulsion felt to meet such obligation.
A service, function, or task assigned to one, especially in the armed forces: hazardous duty.
Function or work; service: jury duty. See Synonyms at function.
A tax charged by a government, especially on imports.
a. The work performed by a machine under specified conditions.
b. A measure of efficiency expressed as the amount of work done per unit of energy used.
The total volume of water required to irrigate a given area in order to cultivate a specific crop until harvest.