serving
noun
serv·ing ˈsər-viŋ 
: a helping of food or drink
Example Sentences
This is my third serving of mashed potatoes. According to the package, one serving size is 6 ounces.
Recent Examples on the Web The special arrived with a hefty serving of risotto, pita triangles with a side of tzatziki, and a Greek salad—all for $14.95, a welcome alternative to my usual $15 salad from Salata or Barnaby's. 
Megha Mcswain, Chron, 16 Sep. 2022 In the third game of the first set, with Ruud serving, Alcaraz knifed a volley deep that skidded low, too low for Ruud to get any kind swing on it. Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 But Tiafoe responded with some canny serving, and Alcaraz just missed two forehands wide that evened the match. Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 The sponsorship also includes a sweepstakes for fans and charitable efforts to address food insecurity in some NFL cities, starting with a serving of food Sept. 7 in Los Angeles. Tyler J. Davis, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2022 Williams saved them with clutch serving, but Bencic would go on to break Williams twice in the opening set, sealing it after 41 minutes. Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 The Angry Maria is spice-forward with a healthy serving of Calabrian chili peppers balanced by the zesty sweetness of fresh basil pesto sauce and fresh tomatoes. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2022 The fourth and fifth meals follow an identical pattern; a cup of basmati rice with a 6-ounce serving of either turkey, chicken, or fish. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 30 Apr. 2022 Jean-Georges’s iconic egg brioche toast with a hefty serving of caviar, Le Bernardin’s caviar in a potato cloud, and The Modern’s eggs on eggs on eggs. Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 20 Apr. 2022 See More
Megha Mcswain, Chron, 16 Sep. 2022 In the third game of the first set, with Ruud serving, Alcaraz knifed a volley deep that skidded low, too low for Ruud to get any kind swing on it. Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 But Tiafoe responded with some canny serving, and Alcaraz just missed two forehands wide that evened the match. Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 The sponsorship also includes a sweepstakes for fans and charitable efforts to address food insecurity in some NFL cities, starting with a serving of food Sept. 7 in Los Angeles. Tyler J. Davis, Detroit Free Press, 29 Aug. 2022 Williams saved them with clutch serving, but Bencic would go on to break Williams twice in the opening set, sealing it after 41 minutes. Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 The Angry Maria is spice-forward with a healthy serving of Calabrian chili peppers balanced by the zesty sweetness of fresh basil pesto sauce and fresh tomatoes. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2022 The fourth and fifth meals follow an identical pattern; a cup of basmati rice with a 6-ounce serving of either turkey, chicken, or fish. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 30 Apr. 2022 Jean-Georges’s iconic egg brioche toast with a hefty serving of caviar, Le Bernardin’s caviar in a potato cloud, and The Modern’s eggs on eggs on eggs. Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, 20 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
serve entry 1 + -ing entry 1
First Known Use
1864, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing serving
Kids Definition
serving
noun
serv·ing
ˈsər-viŋ
: a helping of food He ate two servings of rice.
serving 1 of 3
adjective
as in performing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- performing
- producing
- yielding
- useful
- operating
- viable
- productive
- usable
- employable
- humming
- bustling
- running
- thriving
- working
- functioning
- flourishing
- operable
- busy
- useable
- astir
- dynamic
- workable
- on
- roaring
- going
- living
- operational
- live
- active
- effective
- effectual
- operative
- functional
- alive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- broken
- dead
- inactive
- inoperative
- nonfunctioning
- useless
- nonoperative
- ineffective
- decommissioned
- arrested
- nonactivated
- ineffectual
- nonoperating
- nonoperational
- deactivated
- idle
- kaput
- nonfunctional
- unusable
- dormant
- fallow
- inert
- quiescent
- sleepy
- inoperable
- kaputt
- unworkable
- latent
- lifeless
- asleep
- unproductive
- stagnating
- nonproductive
- vegetating
serving
2 of 3noun
as in dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
- dinner
- supper
- lunch
- breakfast
- buffet
- tea
- snack
- luncheon
- taste
- refreshments
- banquet
- gulp
- smorgasbord
- collation
- bite
- board
- meal
- fry
- feast
- morsel
- spread
- bake
- regale
- feed
- roast
- chow
- clambake
- barbecue
- potluck
- picnic
- cookout
- repast
- barbeque
- fry-up
- table
- menu
- luau
- mess
- refection
serving
3 of 3verb
1
as in attending
to be a servant for he served his master faithfully for 20 years Synonyms & Similar Words
- attending
- waiting on
- waiting upon
- dancing attendance (upon)
- working (for)
- slaving (for)
- ministering (to)
- tending (to)
2
as in sufficing
to be enough they made the pasta serve for eight guests Synonyms & Similar Words
- sufficing
- doing
- satisfying
- answering
- suiting
- contenting
- satiating
- quenching
- assuaging
- sating
3
as in doing
to be fitting or proper those old riding boots will serve for now, but you'll need newer ones for the horse show Synonyms & Similar Words
- doing
- sufficing
- befitting
- fitting
- working
- suiting
- going
- satisfying
- functioning
- filling the bill
- fitting the bill
- beseeming
4
as in treating
to behave toward in a stated way my parents served me well in preparing me for life Synonyms & Similar Words
- treating
- handling
- using
- doing by
- viewing
- being (to)
- acting (toward)
- considering
- regarding
- dealing (with)
- esteeming
- rating
- reckoning
- reacting (to)
- responding (to)
- engaging (with)
5
as in acting
to have a certain purpose the harsh punishment served to teach everyone a lesson Synonyms & Similar Words
- acting
- functioning
- working
- performing
- operating
- managing
- running
- guiding
- administering
- handling
- controlling
- supervising
- regulating
- directing
- overseeing
- carrying on
6
as in benefiting
to provide with something useful or desirable an excellent college that served her with the skills necessary to make it in today's job market Synonyms & Similar Words
- benefiting
- benefitting
- helping
- profiting
- assisting
- availing
- aiding
- advantaging
- succeeding
- improving
- satisfying
- delighting
- blessing
- pleasing
- contenting
- bettering
- gratifying
- working (for)
- gladdening
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hurting
- hindering
- impeding
- injuring
- impairing
- damaging
- harming
- distressing
- upsetting
- afflicting