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
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
James Factora, Them., 2 May 2025
In Mary Harron’s 2000 adaptation of the novel about the sadistic (and at times uncomfortably funny) serial killer Patrick Bateman (Bale), Sevigny played his secretary Jean, who gets spared from his bloodthirst.
—Kerensa Cadenas, IndieWire, 2 May 2025
Katie Rife, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2025
On the dial, Aimee’s sermons would coexist alongside studio serials such as The Green Hornet and Superman.
—Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serial
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Adjective
The main lesbian vampire, Countess Elizabeth Báthory (who, yes, is named after and descended from the serial killer) is styled after Marlene Dietrich, but somehow even more high femme.
—James Factora, Them., 2 May 2025
In Mary Harron’s 2000 adaptation of the novel about the sadistic (and at times uncomfortably funny) serial killer Patrick Bateman (Bale), Sevigny played his secretary Jean, who gets spared from his bloodthirst.
—Kerensa Cadenas, IndieWire, 2 May 2025
Noun
While Star Wars has historically borrowed its tone from B-movies and swashbuckling serials, Rogue One brought a new, more serious approach to its subject matter.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 15 Feb. 2025
On the dial, Aimee’s sermons would coexist alongside studio serials such as The Green Hornet and Superman.
—Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serial
Cite this Entry
“Serial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serial. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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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