serving

[ sur-ving ]
/ ˈsɜr vɪŋ /

noun

the act of a person or thing that serves.
a single portion of food or drink; helping.
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

for use in distributing food to or at the table: a serving tray.

Origin of serving

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at serve, -ing1

OTHER WORDS FROM serving

un·serv·ing, adjective

Definition for serving (2 of 2)

serve
[ surv ]
/ sɜrv /

verb (used without object), served, serv·ing.

verb (used with object), served, serv·ing.

noun

the act, manner, or right of serving, as in tennis.

Origin of serve

1125–75; Middle English serven < Old French servir < Latin servīre, equivalent to serv(us) slave (cf. serf) + -īre infinitive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM serve

Example sentences from the Web for serving

British Dictionary definitions for serving (1 of 2)

serving
/ (ˈsɜːvɪŋ) /

noun

a portion or helping of food or drink

British Dictionary definitions for serving (2 of 2)

serve
/ (sɜːv) /

verb

noun

sport short for service 1 (def. 17)
Australian a portion or helping of food or drink

Derived forms of serve

servable or serveable, adjective

Word Origin for serve

C13: from Old French servir, from Latin servīre, from servus a slave

Idioms and Phrases with serving

serve