WordWeb Online

1. The social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
   "we must instil a sense of duty in our children"; "every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty"
   - responsibility, obligation
    
2. Work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons
   "the duties of the job"
    
3. A government tax on imports or exports
   "they signed a treaty to lower duties on trade between their countries"
   - tariff

Derived forms: duties

See also: duteous

Type of: indirect tax, social control, work

Encyclopedia: Duty