serve

present singular third person serves · participle present serving · participle past served · past served

1. To provide a service (or, by extension, a product, especially food or drink).
   1. personaltransitiveTo be a formal servant for (a god or deity); to worship in an official capacity.First known use 12th c.

      And yet this is not the office of a Priest, but of Him whom the Priest should serve.

      1889, Philip Schaff, translating St. Chrysostom, Homilies, XIV

   2. personaltransitiveTo be a servant for; to work for, to be employed by.First known use 13th c.

      […]his lordship was out of humour. That was the way Chollacombe described as knaggy an old gager as ever Charles had had the ill-fortune to serve.

      1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax

      2 more examples

      And truly, Mrs. Abigal, I muſt needs ſay, I ſerv'd my Maſter contentedly, vvhile he vvas living; but I vvill ſerve no Man living (that is, no Man that is not living) vvithout double VVages.

      1716 March 21 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], The Drummer; or, The Haunted House. A Comedy. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], published 1716 (indicated as 1715), →OCLC, Act I, page 4

      You may be a businessman or some high-degree thief, / They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief / But you're gonna have to serve somebody.

      1979, Bob Dylan, Gotta Serve Somebody

   3. personaltransitiveTo wait upon (someone) at table; to set food and drink in front of, to help (someone) to food, meals etc.First known use 13th c.

      That night Annie served him grilled halibut and English peas, plus tomatoes, of course, and a salad.

      2007, Larry McMurty, When the Light Goes

   4. factiveintransitivepersonalTo render service by being a servant, worker, employee, or officeholder; to hold those roles and perform their duties.First known use 14th c.

      They also serve who only stand and wait.

      1673, John Milton, On His Blindness

   5. personaltransitiveTo set down (food or drink) on the table to be eaten; to bring (food, drink) to a person.First known use 15th c.

      About twenty minutes after waiters served the soup, a guest got up and left.

      2009, Dominic A Pacyga, Chicago: A Biography, page 195

2. archaictransitiveTo treat (someone) in a given manner.First known use 13th c.

   I mock them all who have served me ill of late and chiefly this cheat of Judah, whose temple we have plundered and whose golden vessels are my wash-pots.

   1924, H. Rider Haggard, Belshazzar

   1 more example

   Herein thou haſt done good ſeruice to thy country: VVere all inhumaine ſlaues ſo ſerued as he, England would be ciuill, and from all ſuch dealings free.

   1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], →OCLC, Act I

3. archaictransitiveTo be suitor to; to be the lover of.First known use 14th c.

   That gentle Lady, whom I loue and serue.

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC

4. To be effective.
   1. transitiveTo be useful to; to meet the needs of.First known use 14th c.

      Will somebody please explain to these people that the values of cultural diversity are not served by an ad placing a menorah under a fucking Christmas tree!

      1989 December 24, Read Weaver, “Xmas And The Rest Of Us”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 24, page 4

      1 more example

      So, while the sycophantic liberal media calls any and all opposition to Obama racist, they give Obama carte blanche to exploit his race whenever it serves his purpose.

      2010 October 12, Lloyd Marcus, “So much for the 'post-racial' president”, in The Guardian

   2. intransitiveTo have a given use or purpose; to function for something or to do something.First known use 14th c.

      The bust also served to remind the public that the Mafia is not harmless.

      2011 January 27, “Borgata bust”, in The Economist

      1 more example

      Creating a complete map of the human connectome would therefore be a monumental milestone but not the end of the journey to understanding how our brains work. The achievement will transform neuroscience and serve as the starting point for asking questions we could not otherwise have answered,[…].

      2012 March-April, Terrence J. Sejnowski, “Well-connected Brains”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 171

   3. intransitiveTo usefully take the place as, instead of something else.First known use 14th c.

      Maybe the volcanic eruption will serve as a wake-up call to such companies that they need to modernise their risk management.

      2010 April 20, “Not up in the air”, in The Economist

      1 more example

      Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out.[…]. Ikey the blacksmith had forged us a spearhead after a sketch from a picture of a Greek warrior; and a rake-handle served as a shaft.

      1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter II, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC

5. To deliver a document in such a way that the recipient can be legally considered to be informed of it.
   1. transitivelawTo officially deliver (a legal notice, summons etc.).First known use 15th c.

      a document served on the tenant

      (a document delivered to the tenant)

      2 more examples

      On the morning of February 28, 1993, ATF agents gathered at a staging area near Waco and prepared to serve a search warrant on the Branch Davidians' residence.

      2008 April, Pamela Colloff, “The Fire That Time”, in Texas Monthly, Austin: Emmis Publishing, page 158

      Prince Andrew’s team tried to hire “internet trolls to hassle” his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, while he hid behind the “well-guarded gates” of Balmoral Castle to avoid being served court papers, according to allegations in her posthumous memoir.

      2025 October 20, Caroline Davies, “Prince Andrew tried to hire ‘internet trolls’ to hassle Virginia Giuffre, book claims”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   2. transitivelawTo make legal service upon (a person named in a writ, summons, etc.)

      to serve a witness with a subpoena

6. intransitivetransitivehobbiesTo lead off with the first delivery over the net in tennis, volleyball, ping pong, badminton etc.First known use 16th c.

   In women's tennis the need to serve more effectively has become greater in recent years because the game is being played more aggressively, and rallies are becoming shorter as a result.

   2007, Rob Antoun, Women's Tennis Tactics, page 2

7. transitiveTo copulate with (of male animals); to cover.First known use 16th c.

   Conception means that a cow is served by a bull and that she becomes pregnant.

   1996, Puck Bonnier et al., Dairy Cattle Husbandry, Agromisa Foundation 2004

8. intransitiveTo be in military service.First known use 16th c.

   He had previously attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and had served in World War II.

   2026 September 3, Shreya Lele, “The “Lady of the Dunes” Was Found Murdered in 1974. Nearly 50 Years Later, She Got Her Name Back”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 03 Sep 2026

   1 more example

   Some reports suggested he would quit the army if he was not allowed to serve abroad in a war zone.

   2007 May 16, Peter Walker, The Guardian

9. transitivegovernmentTo work, to operate (a weapon).First known use 18th c.

   John T. Greble, of the 2d regular artillery, was likewise killed instantly by a ball through the head, while serving his gun in the face of the foe.

   1864, Horace Greeley, The American Conflict

10. transitiveTo work through (a given period of time in prison, a sentence).First known use 19th c.

    Several years ago Ernie was arrested for crossing the beach after curfew and served 58 days in jail.

    1987 October, Charles E. Cobb, Jr., “North Carolina's Outer Banks”, in National Geographic, volume 172, number 4, page 508

    1 more example

    The Guangzhou Daily reported that Shi Chunlong, 20, who organised the incident, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Hou Bin, who pulled out of the attack after helping to plan it, will serve 12 years.

    2010 December 1, Tania Branigan, The Guardian

11. nauticalTo wind spun yarn etc. tightly around (a rope or cable, etc.) so as to protect it from chafing or from the weather.
12. transitiveTo perform (a public obligation).

    She served the office of mayor five years ago.

    1 more example

    I've received a summons for jury duty. It says I serve one day or one trial.

13. ambitransitiveslangdrugsTo provide crack cocaine (to), usually by selling, dealing, or distributing.

    Tim told her that she could make a little money on the side by serving crack-cocaine.

    2010, Keith Norton, Crack Spell

    3 more examples

    Once I began selling crack, money was no issue. I would be out 2-3 days at a time, up for 24 hours a day. It was a full time job, serving crack fiends.

    2006, Stacey Green, Inside...the Mind of a Man!, page 18

    They'd serve cocaine, and you'd sit there, and base this cocaine. And you'd have an ounce gone in 24 hours.

    2012, Diana Prince, Secret Lives: Real Lives in the World’S Oldest Profession

    When crews like the Supreme Team saw the effect of the powerful new drug on users, they streamlined their own operation to serve crack only.

    2013, Seth Ferranti, The Supreme Team: The Birth of Crack and Hip-Hop, Prince’s Reign of Terror and the Supreme/50 Cent Beef Exposed

14. To present an attractive personal appearance.
    1. intransitiveLGBTQ slang and African-American VernacularTo present an attractive personal appearance.

       […] Angela Bassett, serving for the gods in regal headdresses and flowing white dreadlocks as T'Challa's mother, […]

       2017, John Boone, “Inside Marvel Studios: Secrets About 'Black Panther,' 'Captain Marvel,' 'Thor: Ragnarok' & More!”, in ET Online

    2. transitiveLGBTQ slang and African-American VernacularTo attractively display (something, especially a body part) as part of one's personal appearance.

       Wearing an itty-bitty black bikini and mirror-like sunnies, she's serving face.

       2019, Alyssa Morin, “Kylie Jenner and Her BFF Stassie Pose in Matching Itty-Bitty Bikinis”, in E! Online

       3 more examples

       I feel the same way about Ashley Monroe too, who was her usual sweet self as she came through serving cleavage to the max.

       2016, Delores Shante, “Tiffany Foxx’s Black Friday”, in The St. Louis American, archived from the original on 07 Feb 2021

       Boasting thirteen years in the drag industry, Saki [Yew] once took a hiatus to pursue a dance career. Now, she’s back, back, back and ready to be catapulted to superstardom to serve “looks, sass and a dulled down Australian accent”.

       2024 September 12, Sam Damshenas, “‘A new direction for the franchise’: Drag Race UK stars on “mind-blowing” season 6”, in Gay Times

       Sabrina [Carpenter] is always serving face (and singing about it, too). So I consulted with Beth Gillette, beauty editor, on how to create the perfect makeup look to complete your Short n' Sweet fantasy.

       2024 September 21, Heath Owens, “What to Wear to Sabrina Carpenter's 'Short N' Sweet' Tour”, in Cosmopolitan

    3. transitiveLGBTQ slang and African-American VernacularTo evoke (something, especially a person) with one's personal appearance.

       Serving Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia! realness, and we’re into it.

       2019, Emma Kelly, “Jennifer Aniston is ‘dating again’ and ‘staying in touch’ with ex-husband Brad Pitt”, in Metro UK

       1 more example

       Dior’s collection was serving major Bridgerton vibes, and I am definitely taking notes.

       2021, Bella Gerard, “These Paris Fashion Week SS21 Couture Looks Give Me So Much Serotonin”, in Stylecaster

plural serves

1. hobbiesAn act of putting the ball or shuttlecock in play in various games.

   Whose serve is it?

   3 more examples

   He had no power serve of his own, no backhand, no volley, no lob, no idea of pace or tactics.

   1961 January 13, Marshall Smith, “From Waif to a Winner, the Clown of the Courts”, in Life, page 99

   The first serve of the game is from the right half court to the half diagonally opposite.

   1996, Steve Boga, Badminton, page viii

   Against a serve of the calibre of McEnroe′s, an opponent will try to anticipate the ball′s direction and lean either to the left or to the right, depending on where he feels the server will go.

   2009, Mihnea Moldoveanu, Roger L. Martin, Diaminds: Decoding the Mental Habits of Successful Thinkers, page 31

   Synonyms: service

2. AustraliaA portion of food or drink, a serving.

   Reintroduce protein; add a small serve of salmon, tuna or sardines every second day (tinned variety or fresh).

   2008, Michael E. Cichorski, Maximum Asthma Control: The Revolutionary 3-Step Anti Asthma Program, page 100

   4 more examples

   The night before your event, base your evening meal on high-carbohydrate foods with a small serve of lean protein.

   2004, Susanna Holt, Fitness Food: The Essential Guide to Eating Well and Performing Better, Australia: Murdoch Books, page 23

   Come here for a cappuccino that could hold its own on Via Veneto in Rome (€2) and a serve of their crunchy fresh cheese börek.

   2007, Verity Campbell, Turkey, Lonely Planet, page 142

   Smirnoff Appleback was a finished drink, comprising a 50ml serve of Smirnoff, with ice and lemonade or ginger ale and equating to 1.9 units.

   2011, Great Britain Parliament House of Commons Health Committee, Alcohol: First Report of Session 2009-10, volume 2, page 189

   One serve of carbohydrates is approximately equal to a slice of bread, a piece of fruit, third of a cup of cooked rice, half a cup of grains, cereals, starchy vegetables or cooked pasta, 200 grams of plain yoghurt, or 300 millilitres of milk.

   2012, Lesley Campbell, Alan L. Rubin, Type 2 Diabetes For Dummies, Australian Edition, page 117

   Synonyms: serving

3. gay slang and African-American VernacularAn impressive presentation (especially of a person's appearance).

   That white eyeliner is such a serve.

   2 more examples

   And, of course, there’s the video, which didn’t need to be such a serve since the song slapped so hard. But, it’s still iconic years later.

   2019, Mathew Rodriguez, “The Official Ranking of Every Track on Britney Spears’ Debut Album”, in Out.com

   Taking a private jet in the middle of a pandemic is not the serve you think it is KenToya! What is a serve is the hazmat jumpsuit Marlo wears for the sprinter. Fashion x Covid Safety realness.

   2021, Chris Murphy, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta Recap: Allow Me To ReintroDrewce Myself”, in Vulture