serve
n. countablen. the act of hitting the ball to start a point in games like tennis or volleyball. It is the first move that gets the game moving.
n. the act or manner of putting a ball or shuttlecock into play in various court games. Often used to describe the speed, accuracy, or technique of the initial shot.
She has a very powerful serve in tennis.
The player lost the first set because his serve was inconsistent and hit the net too often.
Mastering a high-velocity serve requires not only upper-body strength but also precise timing and a consistent ball toss to ensure the correct angle of impact.
From Middle English serven, from Old French servir, from Latin serviō (“be a slave; serve”), from Latin servus (“slave; servant”), which perhaps derives from Etruscan (compare Etruscan proper names 𐌔𐌄𐌓𐌅𐌉 (servi), 𐌔𐌄𐌓𐌅𐌄 (serve)), or from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“watch over, protect”).
Commonly used in sports contexts; often modified by adjectives like 'strong', 'weak', or 'fast'.