serve a purpose
idiom
: to have a particular use or function : to be useful or helpful in some way
Everything on the boat serves a purpose.
Examples of serve a purpose in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There have been frustrations in the past at a lack of VAR from the start of the competition; this year, while the penalty awarded to Leuven shows where VAR can serve a purpose, care must be taken to avoid being overzealous.
—
Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
While coordinated breathing is ideal for most exercises, brief, intentional breath holds can serve a purpose.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
In the end, even failure may serve a purpose.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Maybe a mainstream comedy like this can serve a purpose in keeping the plight of guys like Arj front and center.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serve a purpose
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.
Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
While coordinated breathing is ideal for most exercises, brief, intentional breath holds can serve a purpose.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
In the end, even failure may serve a purpose.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
Maybe a mainstream comedy like this can serve a purpose in keeping the plight of guys like Arj front and center.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serve a purpose
Cite this Entry
“Serve a purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serve%20a%20purpose. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share