Definitions for serving

• Definition
• Anagrams (172)

serving serv·ing

Spelling: [sur-ving]

IPA: /ˈsɜr vɪŋ/

Serving is a 7 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 11 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 14 points.

You can make 172 anagrams from letters in serving (eginrsv).

Definitions for serving

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that serves.
2. a single portion of food or drink; helping.
3. Electricity. a layer of material, as jute yarn or tape, that is applied to the core or the exterior of a lead-covered cable and acts as a protective covering.
4. the act, manner, or right of serving, as in tennis.

Idioms

1. serve one right, to treat one as one deserves, especially to punish justly:

adjective

1. for use in distributing food to or at the table:

verb (used with object)

1. to be in the service of; work for.
2. to be useful or of service to; help.
3. to go through (a term of service, imprisonment, etc.).
4. to render active service to (a sovereign, commander, etc.).
5. to render obedience or homage to (God, a sovereign, etc.).
6. to perform the duties of (a position, an office, etc.):
7. to answer the requirements of; suffice:
8. to contribute to; promote:
9. to wait upon at table; act as a waiter or waitress to.
10. to carry and distribute (portions of food or drink) to a patron or a specific table, as a waiter or waitress.
11. to act as a host or hostess in offering (a person) a portion of food or drink:
12. to act as a host or hostess in offering or distributing (a portion or portions of food or drink) to another:
13. to provide with a regular or continuous supply of something.
14. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to put (the ball or shuttlecock) in play.
15. to treat in a specified manner:
16. Law. to make legal delivery of (a process or writ). to present (a person) with a writ.
17. to gratify (desire, wants, needs, etc.).
18. (of a male animal) to mate with; service.
19. to operate or keep in action (a gun, artillery, etc.).
20. Nautical. to wrap (a rope) tightly with small stuff, keeping the turns as close together as possible.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as a servant.
2. to wait on table, as a waiter.
3. to offer or have a meal or refreshments available, as for patrons or guests:
4. to offer or distribute a portion or portions of food or a beverage, as a host or hostess:
5. to render assistance; be of use; help.
6. to go through a term of service, do duty as a soldier, sailor, senator, juror, etc.
7. to have definite use:
8. to answer the purpose:
9. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to put the ball or shuttlecock in play with a stroke, swing, or hit.
10. to be favorable, suitable, or convenient, as weather or time.
11. Ecclesiastical. to act as a server.

Origin of serving

Middle English word dating back to 1175-1225; See origin at serve, -ing¹

Examples for serving

She seemed to be serving in a temple, making it clean and fragrant in the name of love.

A bird remarkable for the catholicity of its appetite and serving to illustrate that of ours.

Brown had been serving a life sentence; McCollum had been on Death Row.

It invites dictatorial and rogue regimes to use Americans serving overseas as bargaining chips.

In the West Bank, serving time in Israeli jails is a badge of honor.

Such butter, of course, cannot be used for serving on the table.

But then one rarely does in talking to a waiter when he is serving you.

Veterans are a small minority of the population, as well, serving the greater whole.

The policies that followed were not serving democratic demands.

(a) What is the advantage of serving milk or cream with cereals?