serve out

phrasal 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
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.
Republican councilman Matthew Bianchini was selected in a 3-2 vote to serve out the remainder of Tompkins’ term, which comes to an end later this year, NJ Advance Media reported. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026 The governor committed to serve out the rest of his current term, which ends a year from now. Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026 Hildebrandt is serving out her sentence at the Utah State Correctional Facility, Dell, where the women's general population lives, per inmate records. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025 The trailer ends with Justin receiving a prepaid call from New Jersey’s FCI Fort Dix, where Combs is currently serving out his 50-month sentence. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for serve out

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Cite this Entry

“Serve out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serve%20out. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.

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