serve out
verb
served out; serving out; serves out
: to complete (a term in office, a prison sentence, etc.)
He was unable to serve out his five-year term as chairperson.
She was allowed to serve out her sentence in a prison close to home.
Examples of serve out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Also in the running is Larry Cohen, a Democrat and longtime congressional aide whom the Board of Supervisors appointed last year to serve out the rest of McAllister’s term.
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Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
However, those jobs would be eliminated further down the line, allowing officials to serve out their terms.
—Sara Cline, Arkansas Online, 3 May 2026
Sinner got the key break with a backhand winner down the line for a 5-4 lead before serving out the match against the Frenchman.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Maxwell is serving out her sentence in a federal prison in Bryan, Texas.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serve out
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Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
However, those jobs would be eliminated further down the line, allowing officials to serve out their terms.
—Sara Cline, Arkansas Online, 3 May 2026
Sinner got the key break with a backhand winner down the line for a 5-4 lead before serving out the match against the Frenchman.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
Maxwell is serving out her sentence in a federal prison in Bryan, Texas.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serve out
Cite this Entry
“Serve out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serve%20out. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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