This is the 2029th most frequent Dutch word.
dienen
"To serve" or "to be of use."
In this context, 'dienen' is used to mean 'serve', indicating providing a service or fulfilling a duty.
Hij moet de gemeenschap dienen met zijn werk.
He must serve the community with his work.
Here 'dienen' is used to represent 'serving' in the sense of 'fulfilling aims or purposes'.
Een goed plan moet meerdere doelen dienen.
A good plan must serve multiple purposes.
In this usage, 'dienen' is applied to indicate intention or functionality, namely what the machine is meant to do.