serve

Meanings

• (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
  • "his powerful serves won the game"
• 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"
• 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"
• be used by; as of a utility
  • "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"
  • "The garage served to shelter his horses"
• help to some food; help with food or drink
  • "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
• provide (usually but not necessarily food)
  • "We serve meals for the homeless"
  • "The entertainers served up a lively show"
• 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"
• 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"
• spend time in prison or in a labor camp
• work for or be a servant to
  • "May I serve you?"
  • "The minister served the King for many years"
• deliver a warrant or summons to someone
• be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
  • "Nothing else will serve"
• do military service
  • "She served in Vietnam"
  • "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
• mate with
  • "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
• put the ball into play
  • "It was Agassi's turn to serve"

Synonyms

answer, assist, attend, attend to, dish, dish out, dish up, do, function, help, process, serve up, serve well, service, suffice, swear out, wait on