verb
serves; served; serving
[+ obj] :to give (food or drink) to someone at a meal, in a restaurant, etc.
to give food or drink to (someone) [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to be enough food for (a particular number of people)
[+ obj] :to provide service to (a customer) :to help (a customer) make purchases
[no obj]
to be used or seen in a particular way - + as
to have a particular result or effect - often + as
[+ obj] :to be useful or helpful to (someone)
to provide what is needed by or for (someone or something) [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to provide (an area or group of people) with a particular service
to hold a particular office, position, etc. :to perform a duty or job [no obj]
[+ obj] :to be in prison for or during (a period of time)
[+ obj] law :to send or give (someone) official legal papers
[+ obj] :to give respect and service to (someone or something)
sports :to throw a ball into the air and hit it over a net to start play in tennis, volleyball, etc. [no obj]
first come, first served
serve out
[phrasal verb]
serve (something) out or serve out (something) :to complete (a term in office, a prison sentence, etc.)
serve (someone) right
used to say that someone who has behaved badly deserves a particular punishment, problem, etc.
serve two masters
to give equal support to two different causes, groups, etc.
serve up
[phrasal verb]
serve up (something) or serve (something) up :to give (food) to someone at a meal, in a restaurant, etc.
noun
plural serves
[count] 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.