consecutive

adjective

con·​sec·​u·​tive kən-ˈse-kyə-tiv How to pronounce consecutive (audio)
-kə-tiv
: following one after the other in order : successive
served four consecutive terms in office
consecutiveness noun

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Concurrent and Consecutive

Consecutive has a good deal in common with the complementary word concurrent. Besides the fact that both begin with the prefix con- (meaning “with, together”), each word deals with the time-order in which several things happen. Concurrent describes things that are occurring, or people who are doing something, at the same time, such as “concurrent users” of a computer program. Consecutive refers to things that are arranged or happen in a sequential order. A criminal who serves a consecutive sentence does time for one conviction after another. If that person gets a concurrent sentence, he or she undergoes all punishments at the same time.

Examples of consecutive in a Sentence

the team's winning streak has lasted for seven consecutive games
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.
Forced by his teammate’s injury to take on a heavier load, the elderly Kelce still assisted K.C.’s run to an eighth consecutive AFC West title — double the Chargers’ best such streak — and the franchise’s fifth Super Bowl in six years. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025 Granada Hills has won four consecutive West Valley League titles but stumbled in the playoffs. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025 Read more: Expert Predictions For 2025 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest This year, guard Mac McClung of the Osceola Magic in the G League will be looking to capture his third consecutive Slam Dunk title. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025 After 214 consecutive days with no measurable amount of rain, a steady stream of showers covered the city and surrounding areas on Thursday. Terry Collins, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for consecutive 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French consecutif "following one after the other," borrowed from Medieval Latin consecūtīvus "following as a result or effect," from Latin consecūtus, past participle of consequī "to come after, succeed in time, follow as a necessary consequence" + -īvus -ive — more at consequent entry 2

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of consecutive was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near consecutive

Cite this Entry

“Consecutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consecutive. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

consecutive

adjective
con·​sec·​u·​tive kən-ˈsek-(y)ət-iv How to pronounce consecutive (audio)
: following one after the other in order
consecutively adverb
Etymology

from French consécutif "following in a series, consecutive," from Latin consecutus, past participle of consequi "to follow," from con, com- "with, together" and sequi "to follow" — related to sequel

Legal Definition

consecutive

adjective
con·​sec·​u·​tive
: following one after the other in order
consecutively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on consecutive

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