[
UK
/sˈɜːv/
]
[ US /ˈsɝv/ ]
[ US /ˈsɝv/ ]
VERB
-
do military service
My sons never served, because they are short-sighted
She served in Vietnam -
spend time in prison or in a labor camp
He did six years for embezzlement -
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 -
provide (usually but not necessarily food)
She dished out the soup at 8 P.M.
We serve meals for the homeless
The entertainers served up a lively show -
be used by; as of a utility
The garage served to shelter his horses
The sewage plant served the neighboring communities -
promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
Their interests are served
Art serves commerce
The lake serves recreation
The President's wisdom has served the country well -
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
A `B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school
Nothing else will serve
A few words would answer
Will $100 do?
This car suits my purpose well -
help to some food; help with food or drink
I served him three times, and after that he helped himself -
do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function
He served as head of the department for three years
She served in Congress for two terms -
contribute or conduce to
The scandal served to increase his popularity -
put the ball into play
It was Agassi's turn to serve -
deliver a warrant or summons to someone
He was processed by the sheriff -
work for or be a servant to
The minister served the King for many years
She attends the old lady in the wheelchair
Is a salesperson assisting you?
May I serve you?
Can you wait on our table, please? -
mate with
male animals serve the females for breeding purposes -
devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas
He served the church
She served the art of music
serve the country
NOUN
-
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
his powerful serves won the game
How To Use serve In A Sentence
- A little pyrotechnics display tacked on just serves to emphasise its lack of cutting edge. Times, Sunday Times
- Serve the chicken with salads and chips or potatoes. Times, Sunday Times
- There will always be debate about who deserves honours, all of it highly subjective.
- Stated income loans only deserve the moniker "liar loans" because they were abused by banks and given to borrowers who lacked the income to qualify full doc. Yahoo! News: Business - Opinion
- He says the insurance bond provides deserved protection for employees who put a lot into the company.
- Each of us was served a little mound of risotto, on which I ground pepper and sprinkled Parmesan, with a side of green salad.
- Those morning glories are grown every year along the south face of the historic, well-preserved post-and-beam barn that is the center of Heritage Farm; the 890-acre spread a few miles north of Decorah that Seed Savers Exchange now calls home. Kurt Michael Friese: Memories of a Life Spent Saving Seeds
- Lee waved down the server behind the counter, who seemed to have been engulfed in conversation with one of the two men seated next to us.
- With no personal stake in the performance scene, Priyambada continues to be one of the most objective observers and commentators of the Odissi scene.
- Malory won the toss and will serve.