serving

1 of 2

noun

serv·​ing ˈsər-viŋ How to pronounce serving (audio)
Synonyms of servingnext
: a helping of food or drink

serving

2 of 2

present participle of serve entry 1

Examples of serving in a Sentence

Noun This is my third serving of mashed potatoes. According to the package, one serving size is 6 ounces.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Defending champion Rybakina hit six aces but needed 11 set points to take the first set in a match that featured erratic serving and a total of 11 double-faults between her and Shnaider. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Aggressive serving has been a trademark for the Rams, who have won 13-0 in a row. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Single-serve formats require substantial packaging for a relatively small serving of coffee, Revi adds, and can also be difficult to recycle in everyday households. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 21 Oct. 2026 Because nuts are high in calories, portioning them into small containers or snack bags can help keep servings consistent. — Brianna Tobritzhofer, HEALTH, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for serving

Word History

Etymology

Noun

serve entry 1 + -ing entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of serving was in 1864

Phrases Containing serving

Rhymes for serving

See All Rhymes for serving

Browse Nearby Words

servility
serving
serving board
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Serving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serving. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

serving

noun
serv·​ing
ˈsər-viŋ
: a helping of food or drink
another serving of vegetables

More from Merriam-Webster on serving

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for serving

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All