Definition of Serve

Noun

• (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
  "his powerful serves won the game"
  service

Verb

• put the ball into play
  "It was Agassi's turn to serve"
  
• mate with
  "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
  service
• do military service
  "She served in Vietnam"
  "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
  
• 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"
  suffice do answer
• deliver a warrant or summons to someone
  "He was processed by the sheriff"
  process - swear out
• 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"
  - attend to - wait on attend assist
• spend time in prison or in a labor camp
  "He did six years for embezzlement"
  do
• 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"
  - serve well
• 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"
  
• 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"
  - serve up - dish out - dish up dish
• help to some food
  help with food or drink
  "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
  help
• be used by
  as of a utility
  "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"
  "The garage served to shelter his horses"
  service
• contribute or conduce to
  "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
  
• 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"
  
• 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"
  function

• Scrabble® score of the serve (8)
• Word Chums® score of the serve (10)
• Words With Friends® score of the serve (9)