serve
surv
- n  (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
                    
                        
                            
 his powerful serves won the game
- v  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
- v  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
- v  contribute or conduce to
                    
                        
                            
 The scandal served to increase his popularity
- v  be used by; as of a utility
                    
                        
                            
 The sewage plant served the neighboring communities
 The garage served to shelter his horses
- v  help to some food; help with food or drink
                    
                        
                            
 I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
- v  provide (usually but not necessarily food)
                    
                        
                            
 We serve meals for the homeless
 The entertainers served up a lively show
- v  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
- v  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
- v spend time in prison or in a labor camp
- v  work for or be a servant to
                    
                        
                            
 May I serve you?
 The minister served the King for many years
- v deliver a warrant or summons to someone
- v  be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
                    
                        
                            
 Nothing else will serve
- v  do military service
                    
                        
                            
 She served in Vietnam
 My sons never served, because they are short-sighted
- v  mate with
                    
                        
                            
 male animals serve the females for breeding purposes
- v  put the ball into play
                    
                        
                            
 It was Agassi's turn to serve
- German Olympian Dimitrij Ovtcharov's serve isn't about power.
- This legislation will help connect people at all stages of life with opportunities to serve.
- Imagine the enormous difference it would make to our communities and nation if every American served for a year with a community-service group, nonprofit enterprise or faith-based .