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Synonyms

active service

British  

noun

  1. military duty in an operational area

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Just 18 of its fleet of around 34 planes are in active service, according to officials.

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

The plan is to expand the armed forces from the current 183,000 active service personnel to 260,000 by 2035 – plus 200,000 reservists.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

Washington has 11 aircraft carriers in active service, though one of them is scheduled to be decommissioned next year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

"I write to advise that, after careful consideration, I have decided to continue in regular active service as a United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit," Wynn wrote.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2024

Now that he was back in active service the “honorable war wound” was completely forgotten.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques