served
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
An inflected form of serve · past form.
How often you will meet it
Rank 1,342 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 13,641 times across 175,113 chapters — 0.006% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- serve a purpose, role, or function also: function The tree stump serves as a tableThe female students served as a control group
- do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function He served as head of the department for three yearsShe served in Congress for two terms
- contribute or conduce to The scandal served to increase his popularity
- be used by; as of a utility also: service The sewage plant served the neighboring communitiesThe garage served to shelter his horses
- help to some food; help with food or drink also: help I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
- provide (usually but not necessarily food) also: serve up, dish out, dish up, dish We serve meals for the homelessShe dished out the soup at 8 P.M.
served in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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The provost returned, and two hours later supper was served.
The Countess of Saint Geran Celebrated Crimes · Alexandre Dumas · Chapter 1
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In the inner room, which served as a sleeping apartment, the disorder was even greater.
The Lerouge Case · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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During the Civil War Lincoln's stories served a special purpose as a sort of safety valve.
Lincoln's Inaugurals, Addresses and Letters · Abraham Lincoln · Chapter 1
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We are served by invisible ministers who are more powerful than the genii and more nimble than Puck.
Famous Stories Every Child Should Know · Hamilton Wright [Editor] Mabie · Chapter 1
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Bunce was a self-made man, with an excellent grasp of literature, which served him well in his various literary ventures.
Representative Plays by American Dramatists — Love in '76 · Oliver Bell Bunce · Chapter 1