serial

1 of 2

adjective

se·​ri·​al ˈsir-ē-əl 

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

ˈsir-ē-ə-lē 

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

Synonyms of serial

Adjective

• serialized

Noun

• periodical
• newspaper
• journal
• book
• magazine

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

Adjective

Within hours, Wuornos sat down for the confession that would seal her fate and make her one of America’s most infamous female serial killers. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

Supernatural serial killer sequel The Black Phone 2 keeps calling back, meanwhile, and the box office keeps answering. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025

Noun

Fantomas was first adapted for the big screen by into a silent crime film serial directed by Louis Feuillade for Gaumont in 1913. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025

Lillard is perhaps known for portraying Stu Macher — one-half of the horror-obsessive-turned-serial-killing duo, alongside Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis — in the 1996 original, which has since spawned a decades-long franchise. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1823, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing serial

• serial number

Rhymes for serial

• pineal
• calcaneal
• diarrheal
• diarrhoeal
• gonorrheal
• gonorrhoeal
• laryngeal
• meningeal
• mycelial
• pharyngeal
• endothelial
• epiphyseal

Kids 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

serially

-ē-ə-lē 

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