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

Related Words

• enlistment
• hitch
• stint