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noun Common

serving

SUR-vihng

Serving (noun) means an amount of food or drink meant for one person. Example: “The recipe makes four servings.”

noun
1
An amount of food or drink meant for one person.
"The recipe makes four servings."
"Please stick to one serving of dessert."
2
The act of providing or delivering something, such as food or a service.
"The serving of the meal was delayed by twenty minutes."

How to Use Serving

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA single portion of food, or the act of giving out food or a service.

Common pairings
a serving of serving size

Word Forms

servings plural

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Test yourself on “serving” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

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The recipe makes four _____.

Etymology

From serve + -ing.

Related Words

Rhymes for serving

See all rhymes for serving →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “serving” mean?

The word “serving” means an amount of food or drink meant for one person. In plain terms, a single portion of food, or the act of giving out food or a service.

How do you pronounce “serving”?

“Serving” is pronounced SUR-vihng (/ˈsɝvɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “serving” in a sentence?

Here is “serving” used in a sentence: “The recipe makes four servings.”

What part of speech is “serving”?

“Serving” is a noun.

Is “serving” a common word?

“Serving” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “serving” have?

“Serving” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an amount of food or drink meant for one person.

What is the difference between a serving and a portion?

A serving is a standard, recommended amount of a food or drink, like the figures printed on nutrition labels. A portion is simply the amount you actually put on your plate or choose to eat, which can be larger or smaller than one serving. So a single portion may contain several servings.

What is an example of a serving?

Serving sizes vary by food. A serving of cooked pasta or rice is often around one cup, a serving of meat about the size of a deck of cards, and a serving of milk one glass. Labels list servings so you can compare the nutrition of similar products fairly.

How big is a standard serving?

There is no single size — it depends on the food and the guidelines being used. Nutrition labels set standard servings so shoppers can compare products, while dietary advice may recommend different amounts. A serving is meant to represent a reasonable amount for one person, not a strict limit.

Is a serving the same as a serving size?

Essentially yes. 'Serving' is the amount of food or drink meant for one person, and 'serving size' is the specific measured quantity behind it, such as 30 grams or one cup. Serving size is the exact figure a nutrition label uses to define what counts as a single serving.

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