line of duty

noun phrase

: all that is authorized, required, or normally associated with some field of responsibility

Examples of line of duty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Also etched in the base of the memorial are the names of the many Chicago firefighters killed in the line of duty. Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026 From sunrise to sunset, flags are lowered to half staff in solemn recognition of the law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Steven G. Xiarhos, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026 According to a State Attorney’s Office spokesperson, there have been as few as two convictions in Florida of police officers who fired their weapons in the line of duty in the last two to three decades. Ella Moore, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026 The holiday honors the men and women who have fallen or been injured in the line of duty, according to National Day Calendar. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 May 2026 The report found that 53 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2025, down from 64 in 2024. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026 The Elk Grove Police Department rededicated its building Wednesday after the city’s first officer to die in the line of duty. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026 With such deaths being classified in Minnesota as occurring in the line of duty, the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association has been adding memorial ribbons for officers, said Brian Hubbard, the association’s president. Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 13 May 2026 The deputy involved, Devin Jaramillo, was later killed in the line of duty months after the incident. Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of line of duty was circa 1918

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Line of duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line%20of%20duty. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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