First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1serve
verb \ˈsərv\
: to give (food or drink) to someone at a meal, in a restaurant, etc.
: to give food or drink to (someone)
: to be enough food for (a particular number of people)
servedserv·ing
Full Definition of SERVE
intransitive verb
2
: to assist a celebrant as server at mass
3
a : to be of use <in a day when few people could write, seals served as signatures — Elizabeth W. King> b : to be favorable, opportune, or convenient c : to be worthy of reliance or trust <if memory serves> d : to hold an office : discharge a duty or function <serve on a jury>
4
: to prove adequate or satisfactory : suffice <it will serve for this task>
5
: to help persons to food: as a : to wait at table b : to set out portions of food or drink
6
: to wait on customers
7
: to put the ball or shuttlecock in play in various games (as tennis, volleyball, or badminton)
transitive verb
1
2
: to act as server at (mass)
3
archaic : to pay a lover's or suitor's court to (a lady) <that gentle lady, whom I love and serve — Edmund Spenser>
4
a : to work through (a term of service) b : to put in (a term of imprisonment)
5
6
a : to furnish or supply with something needed or desired b : to wait on (a customer) in a store c : to furnish professional service to
7
8
: to treat or act toward in a specified way <he served me ill>
9
a : to bring to notice, deliver, or execute as required by law b : to make legal service upon (a person named in a process)
10
of a male animal : to copulate with
11
: to wind yarn or wire tightly around (a rope or stay) for protection
12
: to provide services that benefit or help
13
: to put (the ball or shuttlecock) in play (as in tennis or badminton)
— serve one right
: to be deserved
See serve defined for English-language learners
See serve defined for kids
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Origin of SERVE
Middle English, from Anglo-French servir, from Latin servire to be a slave, serve, from servus slave, servant
Related to SERVE
- Synonyms
- slave (for), work (for), dance attendance (upon), wait on (also wait upon)
2serve
noun
sports : the act or action of throwing a ball into the air and hitting it over a net to start play in tennis, volleyball, etc.
Full Definition of SERVE
: the act or action of putting the ball or shuttlecock in play in various games (as volleyball, badminton, or tennis); also : a turn to serve <it's your serve>
See serve defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SERVE
1688
SERVE Defined for Kids
1serve
verb \ˈsərv\
servedserv·ing
Definition of SERVE for Kids
1
: to help people to food or drink or set out helpings of food or drink
2
: to be of use : answer some purpose <The lawn serves as our sports facility. — Lemony Snicket, The Austere Academy>
3
: to be a servant
4
: to give the service and respect due <serve God>
5
: to be in prison for or during (a period of time)
6
: to provide helpful services <Our friendly staff will serve you.>
7
: to be enough for <The pie will serve eight people.>
8
: to hold an office : perform a duty <I served as club treasurer.>
9
: to perform a term of service <He served in the marines.>
10
: to furnish with something needed or desired <There is no grocery store to serve the area.>
11
: to put the ball or shuttlecock in play (as in tennis, volleyball, or badminton)
— serve someone right
: to be deserved <You didn't study, so if you fail the test it will serve you right.>
2serve
noun
Definition of SERVE for Kids
: an act of putting the ball or shuttlecock in play (as in tennis, volleyball, or badminton)
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