Definition of serial
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
5a : performing a series of similar acts over a period of time a serial killerb : 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
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Examples of serial in a Sentence
The pictures are numbered and arranged in serial order.
Scientists made serial observations over a period of two weeks.
Recent Examples of serial from the Web
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Neil Senturia, a serial entrepreneur who invests in early-stage technology companies, writes weekly about entrepreneurship in San Diego.
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The list of suspects included an infamous Johnson County serial killer convicted of murdering three other young women within weeks of when Fisher, 18, and Brandolese, 21, were killed.
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In a 1997 photo, Police investigate the bloody steps and gate in front of Gianni Versace's house on Ocean Drive on Miami Beach, where the designer was gunned down by serial killer Andrew Cunanan.
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No wonder that the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations had few answers to North Korea’s serial lying and deceit about its nuclear intentions.
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The venture firm Binary Capital faces an uncertain future after allegations of serial sexual harassment by partner Justin Caldbeck forced his resignation and that of his partner.
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When same-day hotel booking companies started showing up in the app store, a couple of years ago, my first thought was: This is very good news for blackout drunks and serial adulterers.
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Jack takes Rachel's tearful goodbye on the chin and leaves with his serial killer-y dignity intact.
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Your son is the definition of what's known as a serial killer.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'serial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of serial
1823
serial
Definition of serial
1a : a work appearing (as in a magazine or on television) in parts at intervalsb : 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
the university library has a vast collection of serials
Recent Examples of serial from the Web
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The meatiest sections, unsurprisingly, deal with Tales of the City, a string of novels that started as a newspaper serial, first in Marin County's Pacific Sun in 1974, then two years later in the San Francisco Chronicle's inside back page.
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Gaslight Era serial killers, as well as scoundrels and murderers, will be features in true crime author Rich Lindberg's tales of terror presentation at 2 p.m. Sunday June 25 at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N Grove Ave. in Elgin.
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The organization is the brainchild of Ted Halstead, a serial think-tank entrepreneur, who set out to craft traditionally conservative ideas into a potential climate fix.
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A serial peeping Tom in Rock Hill who was out on bond after a June 9 arrest on a charge of voyeurism has been arrested again, according to police and jail records.
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The Dark Knight had been a brooding presence on the pages of comic books since 1939 and on the big screen in 1940s-era movie serials.
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Perhaps best of all are the Queens of the Universe (Jasmine Marie West, Kristi Ramos Toler, Peggy Bott Kirby), who narrate and introduce the chapters, just like in the radio serial.
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Love of European cinema Henderson began watching Western serials, cartoons and other fare at a 10-cent theater in Oklahoma City as a child.
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The absorptive, all-in serial, sonically and visually entire, novelistically cantilevered with deep structure and extending backwards into the viewer’s brain, was simply not a thing before Lynch and Frost.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'serial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of serial
1834
SERIAL Defined for English Language Learners
serial
playDefinition of serial for English Language Learners
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: arranged or happening in a series
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of a crime : committed many times usually in the same way
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of a criminal : committing a series of crimes
serial
Definition of serial for English Language Learners
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: a story that is broadcast on television or radio or that is published in a magazine in separate parts over a period of time
SERIAL Defined for Kids
Definition of serial for Students
: arranged in or appearing in parts or numbers that follow a regular order a serial story
Definition of serial for Students
: a story appearing (as in a magazine or on television) in parts at regular intervals
Learn More about serial
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See words that rhyme with serial Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for serial Spanish Central: Translation of serial Nglish: Translation of serial for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of serial for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about serial
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