serve

1. (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play (synset 100569467)
   "his powerful serves won the game"
   domain category:

   • squash, squash rackets, squash racquets - a game played in an enclosed court by two or four players who strike the ball with long-handled rackets
   • badminton - a game played on a court with light long-handled rackets used to volley a shuttlecock over a net
   • lawn tennis, tennis - a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
   hypernym: tennis shot, tennis stroke - the act of hitting a tennis ball with a tennis racket
   hyponym:

   • ace - a serve that the receiver is unable to reach
   • fault - (sports) a serve that is illegal (e.g., that lands outside the prescribed area)
   • let, net ball - a serve that strikes the net before falling into the receiver's court; the ball must be served again
   synonym: service

1. Serve a purpose, role, or function (synset 202676679)
   "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"
   hypernym: answer, do, serve, suffice - be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
   hyponym:

   • prelude - serve as a prelude or opening to
   • act as - function as or act like
   synonym: function
   verb group: serve, service - be used by; as of a utility
2. Do duty or hold offices;
   Serve in a specific function (synset 201097629)
   "He served as head of the department for three years"; "She served in Congress for two terms"
   hypernym: do work, work - be employed
   hyponym:

   • sit - serve in a specific professional capacity
   • staff - serve on the staff of
   • act - discharge one's duties
   • rotate - perform a job or duty on a rotating basis
   • function, officiate - perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function
   • caddie, caddy - act as a caddie and carry clubs for a player
   • represent - be a delegate or spokesperson for; represent somebody's interest or be a proxy or substitute for, as of politicians and office holders representing their constituents, or of a tenant representing other tenants in a housing dispute
   verb group: serve - do military service
3. Contribute or conduce to (synset 202676187)
   "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
   hypernym: effect, effectuate, set up - produce
   hyponym: facilitate, help - be of use
   verb group: serve, serve well - promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
4. Be used by;
   As of a utility (synset 202546948)
   "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"
   hypernym: function, go, operate, run, work - perform as expected when applied
   synonym: service
   verb group: function, serve - serve a purpose, role, or function
5. Help to some food;
   Help with food or drink (synset 201183592)
   "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
   hypernym: cater, ply, provide, supply - give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
   synonym: help
   verb group: dish, dish out, dish up, serve, serve up - provide (usually but not necessarily food)
6. Provide (usually but not necessarily food) (synset 201182648)
   "We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M."; "The entertainers served up a lively show"
   hypernym: cater, ply, provide, supply - give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
   hyponym: plank - cook and serve on a plank
   synonym: dish, dish out, dish up, serve up
   verb group: help, serve - help to some food; help with food or drink
7. Devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas (synset 202599263)
   "She served the art of music"; "He served the church"; "serve the country"
   hypernym: work - exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
   verb group: assist, attend, attend to, serve, wait on - work for or be a servant to
8. Promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to (synset 202676367)
   "Art serves commerce"; "Their interests are served"; "The lake serves recreation"; "The President's wisdom has served the country well"
   hypernym: foster, nurture - help develop, help grow
   synonym: serve well
   verb group: serve - contribute or conduce to
9. Spend time in prison or in a labor camp (synset 202714981)
   "He did six years for embezzlement"
   hypernym: pass, spend - use up a period of time in a specific way
   hyponym: admit - serve as a means of entrance
   synonym: do
10. Work for or be a servant to (synset 202546367)
    "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"
    hypernym: aid, assist, help - give help or assistance; be of service
    hyponym:

    • valet - serve as a personal attendant to
    • fag - act as a servant for older boys, in British public schools
    synonym: assist, attend, attend to, wait on
    verb group: serve - devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas
11. Deliver a warrant or summons to someone (synset 201441318)
    "He was processed by the sheriff"
    hypernym: deliver - bring to a destination, make a delivery
    hyponym:

    • subpoena - serve or summon with a subpoena
    • rinse, wash - clean with some chemical process
    synonym: process, swear out
12. Be sufficient;
    Be adequate, either in quality or quantity (synset 202675578)
    "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"
    hypernym: fulfil, fulfill, live up to, satisfy - meet the requirements or expectations of
    hyponym:

    • bridge over, keep going, tide over - suffice for a period between two points
    • go a long way - suffice or be adequate for a while or to a certain extent
    • function, serve - serve a purpose, role, or function
    • measure up, qualify - prove capable or fit; meet requirements
    • go around - be sufficient
    synonym: answer, do, suffice
13. Do military service (synset 202416751)
    "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
    hypernym: do work, work - be employed
    verb group: serve - do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function
14. Mate with (synset 201430644)
    "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
    hypernym: copulate, couple, mate, pair - engage in sexual intercourse
    hyponym: stand - be available for stud services
    synonym: service
15. Put the ball into play (synset 201079961)
    "It was Agassi's turn to serve"
    domain category: court game - an athletic game played on a court
    hypernym: go, move - have a turn; make one's move in a game
    hyponym: ace - serve an ace against (someone)

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