serve
noun
1. (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
- his powerful serves won the game
Similar word(s): service
Definition categories: act
Sentences with serve as a noun:
- Whose serve is it?
verb
1. 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
Similar word(s): function
Definition categories: stative, answer, do, serve, suffice
2. 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
Definition categories: competition, work
3. contribute or conduce to
- The scandal served to increase his popularity
Definition categories: stative, effect, effectuate
4. be used by; as of a utility
- The sewage plant served the neighboring communities
- The garage served to shelter his horses
Similar word(s): service
Definition categories: social, function, go, operate, run, work
5. help to some food; help with food or drink
- I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
Similar word(s): help
Definition categories: consumption, cater, ply, provide, supply
6. provide (usually but not necessarily food)
- We serve meals for the homeless
- The entertainers served up a lively show
Similar word(s): dish
Definition categories: consumption, cater, ply, provide, supply
7. 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
Definition categories: social, work
8. promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
- Art serves commerce
- Their interests are served
- The lake serves recreation
Definition categories: stative, foster, nurture
9. spend time in prison or in a labor camp
Similar word(s): do
Definition categories: stative, pass, spend
10. work for or be a servant to
- May I serve you?
- The minister served the King for many years
Similar word(s): assist, attend
Definition categories: social, aid, assist, help
11. deliver a warrant or summons to someone
Similar word(s): process
Definition categories: contact, deliver
12. be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
- Nothing else will serve
Similar word(s): answer, do, suffice
Definition categories: stative, fulfil, fulfill, satisfy
13. do military service
- She served in Vietnam
- My sons never served, because they are short-sighted
Definition categories: social, work
14. mate with
- male animals serve the females for breeding purposes
Similar word(s): service
Definition categories: contact, copulate, couple, mate, pair
15. put the ball into play
- It was Agassi's turn to serve
Definition categories: competition, go, move
Sentences with serve as a verb:
- to serve a witness with a subpoena