serve time

idiom

: to spend time in prison
serving time for drug possession

Examples of serve time 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.
In Spain, those who receive a light prison sentence do not usually serve time unless the offense involves a violent crime or if the defendant is a habitual offender. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Hot New Hip-Hop first reported that 6ix9ine was released from prison on December 12 after having to serve time for violating the terms of his parole. Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 Bannon won't serve time behind bars under the plea agreement, which was laid out during a hearing in a New York courtroom on Tuesday. Graham Kates, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025 Though he wasn’t found guilty of the double homicide, Simpson did serve time in prison for a different crime. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for serve time

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Serve time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serve%20time. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!