serve
verb (used without object)
to act as a servant.
had been serving
-
past perfect progressiveof serve.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chait had been serving as acting superintendent since Feb. 27, two days after the FBI raided the home and office of his predecessor, Carvalho.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
The 76-year-old telecoms billionaire had been serving a one-year prison sentence for corruption since September and will be required to wear an electronic monitor during his four-month probation period.
From Barron's ● May 10, 2026
Kapri had been serving a 46-month sentence for lying on background-check paperwork related to firearms purchases in 2019, with a separate one-year term for gun possession running concurrently.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026
He said in addition to his normal duties, he had been serving burgers in the school cafeteria "because the number of staff available has been so poor".
From BBC ● Dec. 22, 2025
She had been serving the goddess thus for many years when a Greek galley put in at the inhospitable shore, not under stern necessity, storm-driven, but voluntarily.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
