Noun:
1: serve, service (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; "his powerful serves won the game"
Verb:
1: function, serve 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"
2: serve 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"
3: serve contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
4: service, serve be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"
5: help, serve help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
6: dish up, serve up, dish, dish out, serve 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"
7: serve 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"
8: serve, serve well 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: do, serve spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement"
10: serve, wait on, attend, attend to, assist 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"
11: swear out, process, serve deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff"
12: serve, suffice, answer, do 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"
13: serve do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
14: serve, service mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
15: serve put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve"