serve
serve /ˈsɝːv/
noun
-
(sport) a stroke that puts the ball in play
(
serve
, service
)
(sport) a stroke that puts the ball in play
His powerful serves won the game
his powerful serves won the game
verb
-
(
)
Serve a purpose, role, or function
(
function
, serve
)
serve a purpose, role, or function
The tree stump serves as a table
The tree stump serves as a table
The female students served as a control group
The female students served as a control group
This table would serve very well
This table would serve very well
His freedom served him well
His freedom served him well
The table functions as a desk
The table functions as a desk
-
()
Do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function
(
serve
)
do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function
He served as head of the department for three years
He served as head of the department for three years
She served in Congress for two terms
She served in Congress for two terms
-
()
Contribute or conduce to
(
serve
)
contribute or conduce to
The scandal served to increase his popularity
The scandal served to increase his popularity
-
()
Be used by; as of a utility
(
service
, serve
)
be used by; as of a utility
The sewage plant served the neighboring communities
The sewage plant served the neighboring communities
The garage served to shelter his horses
The garage served to shelter his horses
-
()
Help to some food; help with food or drink
(
help
, serve
)
help to some food; help with food or drink
I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
-
()
Provide (usually but not necessarily food)
(
dish
, dish out
, dish up
, serve
, serve up
)
provide (usually but not necessarily food)
We serve meals for the homeless
We serve meals for the homeless
She dished out the soup at 8 P.M.
She dished out the soup at 8 P.M.
The entertainers served up a lively show
The entertainers served up a lively show
-
()
Devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas
(
serve
)
devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas
She served the art of music
She served the art of music
He served the church
He served the church
Serve the country
serve the country
-
()
Promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
(
serve well
, serve
)
promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
Art serves commerce
Art serves commerce
Their interests are served
Their interests are served
The lake serves recreation
The lake serves recreation
The President's wisdom has served the country well
The President's wisdom has served the country well
-
()
Deliver a warrant or summons to someone
(
process
, swear out
, serve
)
deliver a warrant or summons to someone
He was processed by the sheriff
He was processed by the sheriff
-
()
Work for or be a servant to
(
assist
, attend to
, attend
, serve
, wait on
)
work for or be a servant to
May I serve you?
May I serve you?
She attends the old lady in the wheelchair
She attends the old lady in the wheelchair
Can you wait on our table, please?
Can you wait on our table, please?
Is a salesperson assisting you?
Is a salesperson assisting you?
The minister served the King for many years
The minister served the King for many years
-
()
Spend time in prison or in a labor camp
(
do
, serve
)
spend time in prison or in a labor camp
He did six years for embezzlement
He did six years for embezzlement
-
(court game) put the ball into play
(
serve
)
(court game) put the ball into play
It was Agassi's turn to serve
It was Agassi's turn to serve
-
Mate with
(
serve
, service
)
mate with
Male animals serve the females for breeding purposes
male animals serve the females for breeding purposes
-
Do military service
(
serve
)
do military service
She served in Vietnam
She served in Vietnam
My sons never served, because they are short-sighted
My sons never served, because they are short-sighted
-
Be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
(
answer
, serve
, suffice
, do
)
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
A few words would answer
A few words would answer
This car suits my purpose well
This car suits my purpose well
Will $100 do?
Will $100 do?
A B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school
A B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school
Nothing else will serve
Nothing else will serve
