active duty
noun
: employment as a full-time member of the military
After two years of active duty she entered the reserves.
Examples of active duty in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In November, the Pentagon opened an investigation into Kelly, citing a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other punishment.
—
Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Spanos remained on active duty as of Wednesday, according to a Police Department spokesperson.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Keystone Resort in Colorado brought back its celebration of our service members with the Military Winter Games, welcoming active duty and former service members for a weekend of competition and connection on the slopes.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Tim Parlatore, Hegseth’s personal lawyer who now serves as an adviser in his office, suggested that the Pentagon might not pursue a criminal case against Kelly, because doing so would require him to be called back to active duty in the executive branch.
—Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for active duty
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Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Spanos remained on active duty as of Wednesday, according to a Police Department spokesperson.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Keystone Resort in Colorado brought back its celebration of our service members with the Military Winter Games, welcoming active duty and former service members for a weekend of competition and connection on the slopes.
—Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Tim Parlatore, Hegseth’s personal lawyer who now serves as an adviser in his office, suggested that the Pentagon might not pursue a criminal case against Kelly, because doing so would require him to be called back to active duty in the executive branch.
—Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for active duty
Cite this Entry
“Active duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/active%20duty. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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