serving - definition, thesaurus and related words from WordNet-Online

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Noun serving has 2 senses

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"
--₁ is a kind of small indefinite quantity, small indefinite amount
--₁ is a part of meal, repast
--₁ has parts: taste, mouthful
--₁ has particulars:
drumstick; second joint, thigh; breast, white meat; wing; medallion; oyster; parson's nose, pope's nose; piece, slice; round, round of drinks; drink; libation

Derived form: verb serve₅
service, serving, service of process - the act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone; "he accepted service of the subpoena"
--₂ is a kind of delivery, bringing

Verb serve has 15 senses

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"
--₁ is one way to suffice, do, answer, serve
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something
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"
--₂ is one way to work, do work
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
serve - contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
--₃ is one way to effect, effectuate, bring about, set up
Sample sentences:
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
service, serve - be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"
--₄ is one way to function, work, operate, go, run
Sample sentences:
Something is ----ing PP
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
serve, help - help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
--₅ is one way to provide, supply, ply, cater

Derived forms: noun server₁, noun server₄, noun serving₁
Sample sentence:
Sam cannot serve Sue
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"
--₆ is one way to provide, supply, ply, cater
Sample sentence:
The chefs serve the vegetables
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"
--₇ is one way to work
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
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 counrty well"
--₈ is one way to foster, nurture

Derived form: noun servant₂
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
serve, do - spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement"
--₉ is one way to spend, pass
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP
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"
--₁₀ is one way to help, assist, aid

Derived forms: noun servant₁, noun servitor₁
Sample sentence:
Sam cannot serve Sue
serve, process, swear out - deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff"
--₁₁ is one way to deliver
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody with something
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"
--₁₂ is one way to satisfy, fulfill, fulfil, live up to
Sample sentence:
Something ----s
serve - do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
--₁₃ is one way to work, do work
Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s
serve, service - mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
--₁₄ is one way to copulate, mate, pair, couple
Sample sentence:
Something ----s something
serve - put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve"
--₁₅ is one way to move, go

Derived forms: noun serve₁, noun server₂
Sample sentence:
Somebody ----s