[ UK /sˈɜːv/ ]
[ US /ˈsɝv/ ]
VERB
  1. do military service
    My sons never served, because they are short-sighted
    She served in Vietnam
  2. spend time in prison or in a labor camp
    He did six years for embezzlement
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. be used by; as of a utility
    The garage served to shelter his horses
    The sewage plant served the neighboring communities
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. help to some food; help with food or drink
    I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
  9. 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
  10. contribute or conduce to
    The scandal served to increase his popularity
  11. put the ball into play
    It was Agassi's turn to serve
  12. deliver a warrant or summons to someone
    He was processed by the sheriff
  13. 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?
  14. mate with
    male animals serve the females for breeding purposes
  15. 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
  1. (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
    his powerful serves won the game
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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
  • 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.
  • Success is neither a gift nor a blessing. Success is what you deserve. You work for and earn your success. Dr T.P.Chia 
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