serial

1 of 2

adjective

se·​ri·​al ˈsir-ē-əl How to pronounce serial (audio)
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
serially adverb

serial

2 of 2

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
She was captivated by the sheer number of serial killers running amok in the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s and ’80s. Sarah Weinman, The Atlantic, 18 June 2025 Authorities also described the crew as serial thieves who previously targeted other drivers. Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 18 June 2025
Noun
In 1922, John Stevenson was killed while doubling for Pearl White, the star of The Perils of Pauline serials. Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 14 June 2025 At its height, the serial reached ten million listeners, airing multiple times per day. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for serial

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of serial was in 1823

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Serial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serial. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

serial

1 of 2 adjective
se·​ri·​al ˈsir-ē-əl How to pronounce serial (audio)
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
serially adverb

serial

2 of 2 noun
1
: a work appearing (as in a magazine or on television) in parts at regular intervals
2
: one part of a serial work
serialist
ˈsir-ē-ə-ləst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on serial

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