serve a purpose

US /sɜːrv ə ˈpɜːr.pəs/

UK /sɜːrv ə ˈpɜːr.pəs/

1.

to be useful or to have a function

:

•

Does this old tool still serve a purpose?

•

Every part of the machine must serve a purpose.

:

be useful be functional have a use have a function be of use

:

purpose serve accidentally on purpose at cross purposes soft serve serve up all-purpose flour