Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin deservire 'to serve very keenly', from servire 'to serve'

deserve

 verb
     
de‧serve S2 W3 [transitive]
1 to have earned something by good or bad actions or behaviour:
What have I done to deserve this?
deserve to do something
We didn't deserve to win.
richly/fully/thoroughly etc deserve something
the success he so richly deserves
I'm sorry for the kids. They deserve better (=deserve to be treated in a better way).
deserve a rest/break/holiday etc
I think we deserve a rest after all that hard work.
Ledley deserves a place in the team.
Paula deserves a special mention for all the help she has given us.
I would never hit anyone, even if they deserved it.
What has he done to deserve this punishment?
deserve all/everything you get (=deserve any bad things that happen to you)
He deserves all he gets for being so dishonest.
People who are sent to prison for drunk-driving get what they deserve.
2

deserve consideration/attention etc

if a suggestion, idea, or plan deserves consideration, attention etc, it is good enough to be considered, paid attention to etc [= merit]:
This proposal deserves serious consideration.
3

somebody deserves a medal

spoken used to say that you admire the way someone dealt with a situation or problem
somebody deserves a medal for
You deserve a medal for putting up with Ian's constant demands.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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