serve military service; be in active use
Meanings
3 senses · 8 examplesverb
to serve in the military; to perform professional service
formalRefers to serving in the armed forces or, by extension, athletes, civil servants, etc., serving in their professional roles.
He joined the military to serve as soon as he turned eighteen.
This athlete served on the national team for ten years.
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He served for many years in the aerospace engineering program, making outstanding contributions.
verb
to be in active use (of military equipment, vehicles, facilities, etc.)
technicalDescribes military hardware or civilian vehicles, equipment, and infrastructure being in operational condition and serving their intended purpose.
This destroyer has been in active service for over twenty years.
The new high-speed rail line is expected to officially enter service next month.
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This bridge can no longer be safely used due to aging.
verb
to perform corvée labor (in imperial China); to be conscripted for forced labor
archaicRefers to the historical system where civilians were compelled to perform unpaid labor for the state (e.g., building roads, walls). This usage is archaic.
In feudal times, peasants had to perform corvée labor for the government for several months each year.
He was conscripted for forced labor because he couldn't afford to pay his taxes.