serving

[sur-ving]

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

/ ˈsɜːvɪŋ /

noun

1. a portion or helping of food or drink

Other Word Forms

• unserving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of serving¹

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

Example Sentences

Some point to family dynamics, such as the rising number of men who are living with a parent or serving as caretakers.

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The vision of a swath of open space serving those communities had its origin in tragedy.

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After serving out the next game to love - and hitting an ace on the final point - Sabalenka hunched over next to her coach, hid her face in a towel, and cried.

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The homeowner who shot her is now serving a 25-year sentence.

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The clear out, sparked in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer, is the largest in the force's history.

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Related Words

• dollop 
• plate