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
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
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
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 July 2024
Here’s the true story behind Richard Ramirez, the serial killer featured in MaXXXine.
—Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
Cameron Kaiser, Ars Technica, 25 Apr. 2024
Believing the serial stabber to be traveling between Brooklyn and Queens on the subway, extra cops were sent to major transit hubs to keep an eye out.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for serial 
Adjective
The film has been largely hyped for the return of Josh Hartnett as a leading man, especially in a dark role that sees him as a serial killer trying to evade a trap laid out for him at a pop concert.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 July 2024
Here’s the true story behind Richard Ramirez, the serial killer featured in MaXXXine.
—Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024
Noun
Cameron Kaiser The Treo 650 and Palm Centro with their batteries and SIM cards out (IMEIs and serials redacted).
—Cameron Kaiser, Ars Technica, 25 Apr. 2024
Believing the serial stabber to be traveling between Brooklyn and Queens on the subway, extra cops were sent to major transit hubs to keep an eye out.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for serial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near serial
Cite this Entry
“Serial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serial. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
serial
2 of 2 noun1
: a work appearing (as in a magazine or on television) in parts at regular intervals
2
: one part of a serial work
serialist
noun
ˈsir-ē-ə-ləst
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share