1
: of, relating to, consisting of, or arranged in a series, rank, or row
serial order
2
: appearing in successive parts or numbers
a serial story
3
: belonging to a series maturing periodically rather than on a single date
serial bonds
4
: of, relating to, or being music based on a series of tones in a chosen pattern without regard for traditional tonality
5
a
: performing a series of similar acts over a period of time
a serial killer
b
: occurring in or involving such a series
a serial murder
6
: relating to or being a connection in a computer system in which the bits of a byte are transmitted sequentially over a single wire compare parallel
1
a
: a work appearing (as in a magazine or on television) in parts at intervals
b
: one part of a serial work : installment
2
: a publication (such as a newspaper or journal) issued as one of a consecutively numbered and indefinitely continued series
Examples of serial in a Sentence
Adjective
The pictures are numbered and arranged in serial order.
Scientists made serial observations over a period of two weeks.
Noun
the university library has a vast collection of serials
Recent Examples on the Web
Avi Creditor, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2025
Another substantial source of donations of art to PAMM have been Robins, who has given the museum some 250 pieces, and serial collectors Dennis Scholl, an attorney, former Knight Foundation executive, documentary filmmaker and artist, and his wife Debra.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Nov. 2025
There’s long been interest in those accused of heinous crimes — serial killers Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer famously received numerous letters from fans while incarcerated.
—Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serial
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Adjective
Now with serial winner Thomas Müller in tow, the ‘Caps will be hoping for a happier final this time around.
—Avi Creditor, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2025
Another substantial source of donations of art to PAMM have been Robins, who has given the museum some 250 pieces, and serial collectors Dennis Scholl, an attorney, former Knight Foundation executive, documentary filmmaker and artist, and his wife Debra.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
Noun
While Star Wars has historically borrowed its tone from B-movies and swashbuckling serials, Rogue One brought a new, more serious approach to its subject matter.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Nov. 2025
There’s long been interest in those accused of heinous crimes — serial killers Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer famously received numerous letters from fans while incarcerated.
—Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serial
Cite this Entry
“Serial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serial. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
serial
1 of 2 adjective
se·ri·al
ˈsir-ē-əl 
1
: consisting of or arranged in a series, rank, or row
serial order
2
: appearing in parts or numbers that follow regularly
a serial story
3
: being or relating to a connection in a computer system in which the bits of a byte are transmitted one at a time over a single wire
serial
2 of 2 noun1
: a work appearing (as in a magazine or on television) in parts at regular intervals
2
: one part of a serial work
serialist
noun
ˈsir-ē-ə-ləst
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