task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.
charged with a variety of tasks
duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.
the duties of a lifeguard
job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.
the job of turning the company around
chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.
every child was assigned chores
stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.
a 2-month stint as a reporter
assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.
a reporter's assignment
Examples of duty in a Sentence
Noun
His primary duty at the event is to take attendance.
If new employees are unable to carry out their duties, they may be fired.
We felt it was our duty to help.
He has a duty to support his family.
They helped her out of a sense of duty.
I'll be ready when duty calls.
Her brother returned from duty overseas.
a twelve-month tour of duty
Many reserve troops were called into active duty.
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Noun
Then about an hour prior to tipoff, he was deemed out, leaving the backup point guard duties mostly to rookie Sion James.βπ Image Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026 Michael assumed her trustee duties, as Jannine researched hiring Rappa.βπ Image Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Anyone with information about Kenney's whereabouts is asked to contact Charleston Police Department at 843-720-2422 and request to speak with the on duty Central detective.βπ Image Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 5 Nov. 2025 Newly promoted and newly in charge of at-sea extra-duty assignments, a second class sonarman in my division named Duff switched me from quarterdeck watch with the 9mm to line detail.βπ Image Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for duty
: a duty obligating directors of a corporation to disclose all material facts known to them about a transaction when they are seeking shareholder approval
βduty of care
: a duty to use due care toward others in order to protect them from unnecessary risk of harm
βduty of fair representation
: a duty obligating a labor union to represent the employees in its collective bargaining unit fairly and in good faith
βduty of loyalty
: a duty obligating directors of a corporation to refrain from using their positions to further their own interests rather than the interests of the shareholders (as by self-dealing or fraud)
βfiduciary duty
: a duty obligating a fiduciary (as an agent or trustee) to act with loyalty and honesty and in a manner consistent with the best interests of the beneficiary of the fiduciary relationship (as a principal or trust beneficiary)
