serve

To serve is to give someone service or present someone with something.

(verb)

An example of serve is when you bring someone a drink.
An example of serve is when you spend a year in a committed situation, such as in the military or in prison.
An example of serve is when you deliver legal papers that must be delivered in a specific and prescribed manner.

See serve in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb served, serving

to work for as a servant
1. to do services or duties for; give service to; aid; assist; help
2. to give obedience and reverent honor to (God, one's lord, etc.)
3. Archaic to pay court to (a lady)
to do military or naval service for
to pass or spend (a term of imprisonment, military service, etc.): to serve a year in prison
1. to carry out the duties connected with (a position, office, etc.)
2. to act as server for (Mass, Benediction, etc.)
1. to wait on (customers), as in a store
2. to provide (customers, clients, or users) with goods or services, esp. professional services
3. to provide (goods) for customers; supply
1. to prepare and offer (food, etc.) in a certain way: serve the beef with rice
2. to offer or set food, etc. before (a person)
3. to give someone a portion or portions of (food, etc.) at the table: please serve me some peas
1. to meet the needs or satisfy the requirements of: a tool to serve many purposes
2. to promote or further: to serve the national interest
to be used by: a hospital that serves the entire city
to function or perform for: if memory serves me well
to behave toward; treat: to be cruelly served
1. to deliver (a legal instrument, as a summons)
2. to deliver a legal instrument to; esp., to present with a writ
to hit (a tennis ball, etc.) to one's opponent in order to start play
to copulate with (a female): said of an animal
Naut. to put a binding around in order to protect or strengthen (rope, etc.)

Origin: ME serven < OFr servir < L servire, to serve < servus, servant, slave: see serf

intransitive verb

to work as a servant
to be in service; do service: to serve in the navy
1. to carry out the duties connected with a position, office, etc.
2. to act as server for Mass, Benediction, etc.
to be used or usable; be of service; function
to meet needs or satisfy requirements
to provide guests with something to eat or drink, as by waiting on table
to be suitable or favorable: said of weather, wind, etc.
to start play by hitting the ball, etc. to one's opponent, as in tennis

noun

the act or manner of serving the ball in tennis, etc., or one's turn to serve

See serve in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb served served, serv·ing, serves

verb, transitive

a. To work for.
b. To be a servant to.
a. To prepare and offer (food, for example): serve tea.
b. To place food before (someone); wait on: served the guests a wonderful dinner.
a. To provide goods and services for (customers): a hotel that has served tourists at the same location for 30 years.
b. To supply (goods or services) to customers. See Usage Note at service.
To assist the celebrant during (Mass).
a. To meet the requirements of; suffice for: This will serve the purpose.
b. To be of assistance to or promote the interests of; aid: “Both major parties today seek to serve the national interest” (John F. Kennedy).
a. To work through or complete (a period of service): served four terms in Congress.
b. To be in prison for (a period or term): served 10 years for armed robbery.
To fight or undergo military service for: served the country for five years in the navy.
To give homage and obedience to: served God.
To act toward (another) in a specified way: She has served me ill.
To copulate with; service. Used of male animals.
Law
a. To deliver or present (a writ or summons).
b. To present such a writ to.
Sports To put (a ball or shuttlecock) in play, as in tennis, badminton, or jai alai.
To bind or whip (a rope) with fine cord or wire.

verb, intransitive

To be employed as a servant.
To do a term of duty: serve in the U.S. Air Force; serve on a jury.
To act in a particular capacity: serve as a clerk.
To be of service or use; function: Let this incident serve as a reminder to future generations.
To meet requirements or needs; satisfy: a device that will serve well.
To wait on tables: serve at luncheon.
Sports To put a ball or shuttlecock into play, as in court games.
To assist the celebrant during Mass.