sequence

1 of 2

noun

se·​quence ˈsē-kwən(t)s 

-ˌkwen(t)s

1

: a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses for special occasions (such as Easter)

2

: a continuous or connected series: such as

a

: an extended series of poems united by a single theme

a sonnet sequence

b

: three or more playing cards usually of the same suit in consecutive order of rank

c

: a succession of repetitions of a melodic phrase or harmonic pattern each in a new position

d

: a set of elements ordered so that they can be labeled with the positive integers

e

: the exact order of bases in a nucleic acid or of amino acids in a protein

f(1)

: a succession of related shots or scenes developing a single subject or phase of a film story

(2)

: episode

3

a

: order of succession

b

: an arrangement of the tenses of successive verbs in a sentence designed to express a coherent relationship especially between main and subordinate parts

4

a

: consequence, result

b

: a subsequent development

5

: continuity of progression

the narrative sequence

sequence

2 of 2

verb

sequenced; sequencing

transitive verb

1

: to arrange in a sequence

2

: to determine the sequence of chemical constituents (such as amino-acid residues or nucleic-acid bases) in

Synonyms of sequence

Noun

• outcome
• result
• resultant
• consequence
• product

Examples of sequence in a Sentence

Noun

He listened to the telephone messages in sequence.

a chase sequence in a spy movie

I enjoyed the movie's opening sequence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The same three adult staff then returned with their vehicles to evacuate the next cabins in sequence. —Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 23 June 2026

Cancer care is defined by a sequence of high‑stakes choices, therapy selection, sequencing, clinical trial consideration and ongoing adjustments, each one shaping what's next. —Abhishek Kumar, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Verb

When the results came back from a genome sequencing laboratory, they were handed off to FHD Forensics, a company that matches DNA with historical genealogy records to identify unknown human remains. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 June 2026

Though the Justice Department didn’t weigh in favor of either company, its court filing said companies should not be able to restrict the public from sequencing genetic material that was deposited as part of the process of securing patent protection. —Julie Dawson, The Conversation, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sequentia, from Late Latin, sequel, literally, act of following, from Latin sequent-, sequens, present participle of sequi

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sequence

• Cauchy sequence
• chain/sequence/series of events
• main sequence
• out of sequence
• sonnet sequence

Kids Definition

sequence

noun

se·​quence

ˈsē-kwən(t)s, 

-ˌkwen(t)s

1

a

: a continuous or connected series

b

: a set of several shots or scenes developing a single subject (as in a movie)

a chase sequence in a spy movie

2

: the order in which things are or should be connected, related, or dated

the sequence of events

3

a

: result entry 2 sense 1, consequence

b

: a development that follows something else

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sequence "a hymn, a connected series," derived from Latin sequentia "state or fact of following, succession," from sequent-, sequens, a form of the verb sequi "to follow" — related to sequel

Medical Definition

sequence

1 of 2 noun

se·​quence ˈsē-kwən(t)s, -ˌkwen(t)s 

1

: a continuous or connected series

specifically : the exact order of bases in a nucleic acid or of amino acids in a protein

2

: a consequence, result, or subsequent development (as of a disease)

sequence

2 of 2 transitive verb

sequenced; sequencing

: to determine the sequence of chemical constituents (as amino acid residues in a protein or bases in a strand of DNA) in

sequenced the DNA of the entire genome of an organism