Definition

1. Verb:

   • To perform duties or provide assistance for: To work for or be employed by a person, organization, or country, fulfilling a role or function.
   • To present food or drink to someone: To place a meal or beverage before someone for consumption.
   • To be useful or adequate for a purpose: To fulfill a need, function, or requirement; to suffice.
   • (Sports) To put a ball into play: To begin play in games like tennis or volleyball by hitting the ball to an opponent.
   • (Law) To deliver a legal document officially: To formally present a summons, writ, or other legal notice to someone.

2. Noun:

   • (Sports) The act or instance of putting a ball into play: The stroke, hit, or action used to start a point in games like tennis or volleyball.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • She serves on the board of directors. (She performs duties as a member of the board.)
  • The waiter will serve the main course now. (The waiter will bring and present the main dish.)
  • This old box can serve as a temporary table. (This box is adequate to function as a table for now.)
  • It's your turn to serve the ball. (It's your turn to start the point by hitting the ball.)
  • The officer had to serve him with a court summons. (The officer had to deliver the legal document to him officially.)

• Noun:

  • Her powerful serve is her greatest advantage in tennis. (Her act of starting the point with a strong hit is her best skill.)

Advanced Usage

• "serve a purpose": To be useful for a specific aim or function.
  • This tool may look old, but it still serves a purpose.
• "serve time": To spend a period in prison as a punishment.
  • He had to serve time for his crime.
• "serve someone right": Used to say that a person deserves something bad that has happened to them.
  • After all his boasting, losing the game served him right.

Variants and Related Words

• Server (n): 1. A person or thing that serves. 2. A computer or program that manages network resources. 3. (Sports) The player who serves the ball.
• Service (n): 1. The action of helping or doing work for someone. 2. A system supplying a public need (e.g., bus service). 3. A period of employment.
• Servant (n): A person who performs duties for others, especially in a household.

Synonyms

• Work for: Be employed by.
• Attend to: Look after the needs of.
• Fulfill: Meet a requirement or need.
• Suffice: Be adequate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• serve out: 1. To complete a period of work, duty, or imprisonment. 2. (Tennis) To continue serving until a game is won.
  • He served out his full prison sentence.
  • She served out the game with an ace.
• serve up: To provide or present (food, information, entertainment).
  • The chef served up a delicious meal.
  • The documentary served up some shocking facts.
• serve under: To have a lower rank than and work for (a person).
  • He served under the famous general for two years.

Related Idioms

• First come, first served: People will be dealt with in the order they arrive.
  • Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.
• Serve two masters: To try to support or follow two conflicting principles, people, or groups.
  • You can't serve two masters; you must choose one loyalty.

Noun

1. (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
   • his powerful serves won the game

Verb

1. put the ball into play
   • It was Agassi's turn to serve
2. mate with
   • male animals serve the females for breeding purposes
3. do military service
   • She served in Vietnam
   • My sons never served, because they are short-sighted
4. 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
5. deliver a warrant or summons to someone
   • He was processed by the sheriff
6. 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
7. spend time in prison or in a labor camp
   • He did six years for embezzlement
8. 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 country well
9. 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
10. 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
11. help to some food; help with food or drink
    • I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
12. be used by; as of a utility
    • The sewage plant served the neighboring communities
    • The garage served to shelter his horses
13. contribute or conduce to
    • The scandal served to increase his popularity
14. 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
15. 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