Key: "S:" = Show Synset (semantic) relations, "W:" = Show Word (lexical) relations
Display options for sense: (gloss) "an example sentence"
Noun
S: (n) serve, service ((sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play) "his powerful serves won the game"
Verb
S: (v) 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"
S: (v) 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"
S: (v) serve (contribute or conduce to) "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
S: (v) service, serve (be used by; as of a utility) "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"
S: (v) serve, help (help to some food; help with food or drink) "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
S: (v) 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"
S: (v) 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"
S: (v) 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"
S: (v) serve, do (spend time in prison or in a labor camp) "He did six years for embezzlement"
S: (v) 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"
S: (v) serve, process, swear out (deliver a warrant or summons to someone) "He was processed by the sheriff"
S: (v) 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"
S: (v) serve (do military service) "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"