The first shot of a ball or a shuttle in a game like tennis or volleyball to contest the next point.
To work for; to labor on behalf of.
To perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function.
To bring (food, drink) to a person for eating or drinking.
To be a formal servant for (a god or deity); to worship in an official capacity.
To be a servant for, to work for, to be employed by.
To be a waiter for.
To meet the needs of.
To have a given use or purpose.
To usefully take the place as, instead of something else.
To officially deliver (a legal notice, summons etc.).
To be in military service.
To operate (a weapon).
To copulate with (of male animals).
To go through a term of service (as a prisoner, soldier, juror, senator, etc.)
To lead off with the first delivery over the net in tennis, volleyball, ping pong, badminton etc.
To put the ball into play.
put the ball into play; as in games like tennis; "It was Agassi's turn to 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"; "They served as medics in Vietnam"
be in the service of, be a servant of, as of people, institutions, or ideas: "She served the art of music"; "He served the church"; "Marie served her mistress faithfully until her death"
contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
promote; "Art serves commerce"; "Their interests are served"; "The lake serves recreation"
to act as an attendant 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?"
spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement"
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"
help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
serve somebody with a warrant or summons; "He was processed by the sheriff"
provide food; "We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M."
a stroke (in tennis or badminton or squash) that puts the ball in play; "his powerful serves won the game"
mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
be used by; as of a utility: "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; "his powerful serves won the game"
put the ball into play; "It was Agassi''s turn to 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"
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"
deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff"
do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
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"
be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"
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"
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"
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 counrty well"
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"
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
put the ball into play
do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function
provide (usually but not necessarily food)
help to some food; help with food or drink
mate with
deliver a warrant or summons to someone
do military service
work for or be a servant to
be used by; as of a utility
devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
