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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

Etymology

Origin of serving

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

Vocabulary lists containing serving

Nutrition - Introductory

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Nutrition - Middle School

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Nutrition - High School

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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.

It will also create a new Defence Housing Service to improve the standard of accommodation for serving personnel and give the armed forces new powers to destroy drones threatening military sites.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

“Meghan’s serving your insatiable thirst for dance-ready bops with the upbeat banger that is ‘Foolish,’” the release stated, cramming two bits of gay slang into one sentence.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

Bolsonaro, 71, is currently serving his sentence under house arrest for health reasons.

From Barron's • May 9, 2026

Neighbors First was formed last fall as a nonprofit public benefit corporation, with San Rafael-based attorney Steven S. Lucas serving as its chief financial officer, according to paperwork filed with the secretary of state.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

As a former foreign minister now serving as secretary of state, Jefferson required no instruction on the international implications of Americas debtor status.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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.