Duty vs. Function: What's the Difference?

Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 17, 2023

"Duty" refers to a moral or legal obligation, while "function" describes a particular purpose or role that something performs. Duty is often a personal or societal expectation; function is more about operational purpose.

Key Differences

"Duty" is a term that generally signifies an obligation, responsibility, or task that one is expected to perform. This expectation can be either moral, ethical, or even legal. For instance, a citizen's duty might include obeying laws or voting. "Function," on the other hand, refers to the specific role, purpose, or operation that something is designed to perform. For example, the function of a hammer is to drive nails.

In terms of context, "duty" is often used to describe roles in social, familial, or professional settings. For example, it's a parent's duty to take care of their children. "Function" is more frequently found in technical or operational contexts. For example, the function of a machine is to make work easier.

From a grammatical standpoint, both "duty" and "function" function mainly as nouns, but they can also be used as verbs, albeit less commonly. For example, one might say, "He dutied as a guard," or "The machine functions well." However, these usages are not as prevalent as their noun forms.

"Duty" usually involves a level of accountability or a sense of obligation, often moral or ethical. Conversely, "function" is devoid of this moral or ethical dimension and is purely about capability or purpose. For example, a software application may function as a word processor but has no duty to the user.

Comparison Chart

Part of Speech

Mainly a noun, sometimes a verb

Context

Social, Legal, Moral

Technical, Operational

Implication

Obligation or Responsibility

Purpose or Role

Moral/Ethical Dimension

Often Present

Usually Absent

Verb Usage

Less common

Duty and Function Definitions

Duty

A moral or ethical obligation.

It's your duty to tell the truth.

Function

The natural action or intended purpose of something.

The function of the heart is to pump blood.

Duty

A specific task assigned.

It's your duty to wash the dishes.

Function

A mathematical relationship between variables.

The function f(x) = x^2 is a quadratic function.

Duty

A work shift.

She has night duty at the hospital.

Function

A role or occupation.

His function in the company is unclear.

Duty

A legal responsibility.

Jury duty is a civic responsibility.

Function

A person's role or occupation

In my function as chief editor.

Duty

A tax imposed on imports or exports.

The country imposed a duty on luxury goods.

Function

(Biology) The physiological activity of an organ or body part

The heart's function is to pump blood.

Duty

An act or a course of action that is required of one by position, social custom, law, or religion

The duties of being a critical care nurse.

Function

(Computers) A procedure within an application.

Duty

Required action or service

Jury duty.

Beyond the call of duty.

Function

An official ceremony or a formal social occasion

Disliked attending receptions and other company functions.

Duty

Active military service

A tour of duty.

Function

Something closely related to another thing and dependent on it for its existence, value, or significance

Growth is a function of nutrition.

Duty

Moral or legal obligation

It is your duty to tell the truth.

Function

A variable so related to another that for each value assumed by one there is a value determined for the other.

Duty

The compulsion felt to meet such obligation

Acting out of duty.

Function

A rule of correspondence between two sets such that there is exactly one element in the second set assigned to each element in the first set. Also called mapping.

Duty

A tax charged by a government, especially on imports.

Function

To have or perform a function; serve

Functioned as ambassador.

Duty

The application of something for a purpose; use

The dining room table also does duty as a desk.

Function

To deal with or overcome the challenges of everyday life

For weeks after his friend's funeral he simply could not function.

Duty

A measure of efficiency expressed as the amount of work done per unit of energy used.

Function

What something does or is used for.

Duty

The total volume of water required to irrigate a given area in order to cultivate a specific crop until harvest.

Function

A professional or official position.

Duty

That which one is morally or legally obligated to do.

We don't have a duty to keep you here.

Function

An official or social occasion.

Duty

The state of being at work and responsible for or doing a particular task.

I’m on duty from 6 pm to 6 am.

Function

Something which is dependent on or stems from another thing; a result or concomitant.

Duty

A tax placed on imports or exports; a tariff.

Customs duty; excise duty

Function

A relation where one thing is dependent on another for its existence, value, or significance.

Duty

(obsolete) One's due, something one is owed; a debt or fee.

Function

(mathematics) A relation in which each element of the domain is associated with exactly one element of the codomain. Category:en:Functions

Duty

(obsolete) Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.

Function

(computing) A routine that receives zero or more arguments and may return a result.

Duty

The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs., United States).

Function

(biology) The physiological activity of an organ or body part.

Duty

That which is due; payment.

When thou receivest money for thy labor or ware, thou receivest thy duty.

Function

(chemistry) The characteristic behavior of a chemical compound.

Duty

That which a person is bound by moral obligation to do, or refrain from doing; that which one ought to do; service morally obligatory.

Forgetting his duty toward God, his sovereign lord, and his country.

Function

(anthropology) The role of a social practice in the continued existence of the group.

Duty

Hence, any assigned service or business; as, the duties of a policeman, or a soldier; to be on duty.

With records sweet of duties done.

To employ him on the hardest and most imperative duty.

Duty is a graver term than obligation. A duty hardly exists to do trivial things; but there may be an obligation to do them.

Function

(intransitive) To have a function.

Duty

Specifically, obedience or submission due to parents and superiors.

Function

(intransitive) To carry out a function; to be in action.

Duty

Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage.

Function

The act of executing or performing any duty, office, or calling; performance.

Duty

Function

The appropriate action of any special organ or part of an animal or vegetable organism; as, the function of the heart or the limbs; the function of leaves, sap, roots, etc.; life is the sum of the functions of the various organs and parts of the body.

Duty

Tax, toll, impost, or customs; excise; any sum of money required by government to be paid on the importation, exportation, or consumption of goods.

Function

The natural or assigned action of any power or faculty, as of the soul, or of the intellect; the exertion of an energy of some determinate kind.

As the mind opens, and its functions spread.

Duty

Work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons;

The duties of the job

Function

The course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession.

Tradesmen . . . going about their functions.

The malady which made him incapable of performing hisregal functions.

Duty

The social force that binds you to your obligations and the courses of action demanded by that force;

We must instill a sense of duty in our children

Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty

Function

A quantity so connected with another quantity, that if any alteration be made in the latter there will be a consequent alteration in the former. Each quantity is said to be a function of the other. Thus, the circumference of a circle is a function of the diameter. If x be a symbol to which different numerical values can be assigned, such expressions as x2, 3x, Log. x, and Sin. x, are all functions of x.

Duty

A government tax on imports or exports;

They signed a treaty to lower duties on trade between their countries

Function

A religious ceremony, esp. one particularly impressive and elaborate.

Every solemn function' performed with the requirements of the liturgy.

Function

A public or social ceremony or gathering; a festivity or entertainment, esp. one somewhat formal.

This function, which is our chief social event.

Function

To execute or perform a function; to transact one's regular or appointed business.

Function

A mathematical relation such that each element of one set is associated with at least one element of another set

Function

What something is used for;

The function of an auger is to bore holes

Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?

Function

The actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group;

The function of a teacher

The government must do its part

Play its role

Function

A relation such that one thing is dependent on another;

Height is a function of age

Price is a function of supply and demand

Function

A formal or official social gathering or ceremony;

It was a black-tie function

Function

A vaguely specified social event;

The party was quite an affair

An occasion arranged to honor the president

A seemingly endless round of social functions

Function

A set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program

Function

Perform as expected when applied;

The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in

Does this old car still run well?

This old radio doesn't work anymore

Function

Serve a purpose, role, or function;

The tree stump serves as a table

The female students served as a control group

This table would serve very well

His freedom served him well

The table functions as a desk

Function

Perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function;

His wife officiated as his private secretary

Function

A social event or gathering.

They attended a charity function.

Function

To operate or work as intended.

The machine functions perfectly.

FAQs

Can function be a verb?

Yes, like "The machine functions well."

Is duty always moral or legal?

Often, but it can also refer to specific tasks or roles.

What is the primary meaning of duty?

Duty primarily means an obligation or responsibility.

Is function objective?

Generally, yes. It describes an observable role or operation.

Can duty be a verb?

Yes, though it's less common than its noun form.

What's the plural form of duty?

The plural form is "duties."

What does function generally signify?

Function refers to the role, operation, or purpose something is designed for.

Does function always refer to machinery?

No, it can refer to roles, mathematical relationships, or social events.

Is duty subjective?

It can be, depending on cultural or personal views of obligation.

Is duty related to accountability?

Yes, duty often involves a level of accountability.

Is function related to capability?

Yes, function often refers to what something is capable of doing.

Can duty be delegated?

Sometimes, but moral or legal duties are usually personal.

Can one have multiple duties and functions?

Absolutely, depending on one's roles in life and work.

What's the plural form of function?

The plural form is "functions."

Can function be outsourced?

Often, yes. For example, a company might outsource IT functions.

Wide vs. Tall

Precise vs. Exact

About Author

Written by

Janet White

Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.

Edited by

Aimie Carlson

Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.