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