tour of duty

[ toor uhv doo-tee, dyoo-tee ]

noun

1. a period of military service in a particular theater of war, with a particular unit, or assigned to a particular task:

   He volunteered for two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

2. a period of work or service in a particular role, field, workplace, etc.; tour:

   After a tour of duty in banking, she followed her father into the development company.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tour of duty¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

It was a very interesting nine-month tour of duty in military service, tactical training, and of course the medical aspect of evaluating injuries, administering morphine, splinting and stopping bleeding.

From Los Angeles Times

He decided to stay with his unit until the end of his tour of duty in May.

From Seattle Times

This isn’t Cant’s first tour of duty, though.

From Salon

After months patrolling the waters close to the Persian Gulf, the tens of thousands of troops on board the USS Bataan were about to finish their tour of duty.

From BBC

Army Reserve service that would cut his European tour of duty short.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enlistment
• hitch
• stint