1. 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"
   -

1. (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
   "his powerful serves won the game"
   - service

Derived forms: served, serving, serves

See also: servant, server, serving, servitor [archaic]

Type of: aid, assist, cater, copulate, couple, deliver, do work, effect, effectuate, foster, fulfil [Brit, Cdn], fulfill [N. Amer], function, go, help, live up to, mate, move, nurture, operate, pair, pass, ply, provide, run, satisfy, set up, spend, supply, tennis shot, tennis stroke, work

Encyclopedia: Serve

• to the hilt
• to the letter
• to the limit
• to the lowest degree
• to the point
• to the south
• to windward
• to wit
• to-do
• toad
• toad frog
• toad lily
• toad rush
• toad-in-the-hole
• toadfish
• toadflax
• toadshade
• toadstool
• toady
• toadyish
• toast
• toast mistress
• toasted
• toaster
• toaster oven