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

At the end of season 19, the notorious serial killer (referred to as Sicarius) was taken back to maximum-security prison to be locked away for his many murders. — Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

The opening installments look and feel like a very familiar serial killer show, a genre in which Kirk (Dexter, Luther) is well-versed. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

Noun

While only the first two episodes managed to survive the original live broadcast, the serial still went on to have a huge impact on science fiction. — William Worrall, Space.com, 15 July 2026

Also in 1964, Pettet appeared on an episode of ABC’s Route 66 and began a stint as a nurse on the NBC daytime serial The Doctors. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026

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

• phial
• diarrheal
• diarrhoeal
• gonorrheal
• gonorrhoeal
• laryngeal
• meningeal
• mycelial
• pharyngeal
• endothelial
• epiphyseal
• hypophyseal

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