Serve

English Meaning

To work for; to labor in behalf of; to exert one's self continuously or statedly for the benefit of; to do service for; to be in the employment of, as an inferior, domestic, serf, slave, hired assistant, official helper, etc.; specifically, in a religious sense, to obey and worship.

1. To work for.
2. To be a servant to.
3. To prepare and offer (food, for example): serve tea.
4. To place food before (someone); wait on: served the guests a wonderful dinner.
5. To provide goods and services for (customers): a hotel that has served tourists at the same location for 30 years.
6. To supply (goods or services) to customers. See Usage Note at service.
7. To assist the celebrant during (Mass).
8. To meet the requirements of; suffice for: This will serve the purpose.
9. To be of assistance to or promote the interests of; aid: "Both major parties today seek to serve the national interest” ( John F. Kennedy).
10. To work through or complete (a period of service): served four terms in Congress.
11. To be in prison for (a period or term): served 10 years for armed robbery.
12. To fight or undergo military service for: served the country for five years in the navy.
13. To give homage and obedience to: served God.
14. To act toward (another) in a specified way: She has served me ill.
15. To copulate with; service. Used of male animals.
16. Law To deliver or present (a writ or summons).
17. Law To present such a writ to.
18. Sports To put (a ball or shuttlecock) in play, as in tennis, badminton, or jai alai.
19. To bind or whip (a rope) with fine cord or wire.
20. To be employed as a servant.
21. To do a term of duty: serve in the U.S. Air Force; serve on a jury.
22. To act in a particular capacity: serve as a clerk.
23. To be of service or use; function: Let this incident serve as a reminder to future generations.
24. To meet requirements or needs; satisfy: a device that will serve well.
25. To wait on tables: serve at luncheon.
26. Sports To put a ball or shuttlecock into play, as in court games.
27. To assist the celebrant during Mass.
28. Sports The right, manner, or act of serving in many court games.
29. serve up Baseball To pitch (a ball) over the middle of home plate, where it is likely to be hit hard.
30. serve (someone) right To be deserved under the circumstances: Punish him; it will serve him right for what he has done to you.