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
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024
Richard Ramirez, one of the most prolific and violent serial killers in American history—has attracted more than his fair share of fangirls.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024
Paul Tassi, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Returning to his roots in daytime soaps, Hardy was hired in 1983 as an executive producer of ABC’s Ryan’s Hope, a once-popular serial that had experienced dwindling viewership since its mid-1970s heyday.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for serial 
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Adjective
But the most sinister aspect of the movie, to me, is how banal its serial rapists are—how corny and ineffectual, these cringeworthy failsons.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024
Richard Ramirez, one of the most prolific and violent serial killers in American history—has attracted more than his fair share of fangirls.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
Meanwhile, Time Cut is a time traveling slasher film where a girl warps to 2003 to try to save her sister from being serial killed.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Returning to his roots in daytime soaps, Hardy was hired in 1983 as an executive producer of ABC’s Ryan’s Hope, a once-popular serial that had experienced dwindling viewership since its mid-1970s heyday.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 8 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for serial
Dictionary Entries Near serial
Cite this Entry
“Serial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serial. Accessed 21 Dec. 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
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