serve

English Dictionary -> Letter S -> serve

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serve Definition

(n) (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; "his powerful serves won the game"
(v) 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"
(v) 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"
(v) contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
(v) be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"
(v) help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
(v) provide (usually but not necessarily food); "We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M."; "The entertainers served up a lively show"
(v) devote (part of) one''s life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas; "She served the art of music"; "He served the church"; "serve the country"
(v) promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to; "Art serves commerce"; "Their interests are served"; "The lake serves recreation"; "The President''s wisdom has served the counrty well"
(v) spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement"
(v) work for or be a servant to; "May I serve you?"; "She attends the old lady in the wheelchair"; "Can you wait on our table, please?"; "Is a salesperson assisting you?"; "The minister served the King for many years"
(v) deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff"
(v) be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity; "A few words would answer"; "This car suits my purpose well"; "Will $100 do?"; "A ''B'' grade doesn''t suffice to get me into medical school"; "Nothing else will serve"
(v) do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
(v) mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
(v) put the ball into play; "It was Agassi''s turn to serve"

serve Synonyms