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

After a tour of duty in Iraq, Retes moved back to Ventura County this year to find a job and spend more time with his wife and two young children.

From Los Angeles Times

Deputy Chief Constable Ben Snuggs said: "All officers should expect to return home safely after each tour of duty and we wish Christopher a swift and full recovery."

From BBC

While on their tour of duty, the judges decide on FBI requests to wiretap alleged foreign spies.

From Salon

Luke Shipman never remembered the nights he was screaming in terror after a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

From BBC

After a four-year tour of duty that included a posting in Japan, he got a job at Lockheed Martin, where he worked for the next 45 years, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enlistment 
• hitch 
• stint