1. (

• helping ,
• portion ,
• serving

) an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal; "the helpings were all small"; "his portion was larger than hers"; "there's enough for two servings each" ;

2. (

• service ,
• serving ,
• service_of_process

) the act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone; "he accepted service of the subpoena" ;

1. (

• 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" ;

2. (

• 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" ;

3. (

• serve ,

) contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity" ;

4. (

• service ,
• serve

) be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses" ;

5. (

• serve ,
• help

) help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself" ;

6. (

• 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" ;

7. (

• 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" ;

8. (

• 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" ;

9. (

• serve ,
• do ,

) spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement" ;

10. (

• 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" ;

11. (

• serve ,
• process ,
• swear_out

) deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff" ;

12. (

• 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" ;

13. (

• serve ,

) do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted" ;

14. (

• serve ,
• service

) mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes" ;

15. (

• serve ,

) put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve" ;