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Synonyms

serving

American  
[sur-ving] / ˈsɜr vɪŋ /

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.

adjective

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

    a serving tray.
serving British  
/ ˈsɜːvɪŋ /

noun

  1. a portion or helping of food or drink

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • unserving adjective

Etymology

Origin of serving

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; serve + -ing 1

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.

When he bought his first gas station in Eagan, Minn., he had no aspirations of serving anything more than soda and snacks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Plans include a new reception and serving area, so people no longer have to queue outside.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

“The total cost was around $125,000, including permits, construction and all systems — a significant investment, but one that ended up serving our family in unexpected ways.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Bake this beautiful concoction and sprinkle flaky salt and grated lemon zest on top before serving with pasta or over slices of fresh sourdough.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Besides serving as president, he also taught Greek, Latin, mathematics, geology, English literature, history, grammar, and philosophy.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.