1. provide (usually but not necessarily food)

e.g. We serve meals for the homeless
She dished out the soup at 8 P.M.
The entertainers served up a lively show

Synonym: serveserve updish updish

2. administer or bestow, as in small portions

e.g. administer critical remarks to everyone present
dole out some money
shell out pocket money for the children
deal a blow to someone
the machine dispenses soft drinks

Synonym: distributeadministermete outdealparcel outlotdispenseshell outdeal outallotdole out