serial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a serialized set of programs
    series.
    • a comedy series
    • the Masterworks concert series
  2. noun a periodical that appears at scheduled times
    series; serial publication.
  3. adjective satellite in regular succession without gaps
    consecutive; sequential; sequent; successive.
    • serial concerts
  4. adjective pertaining to or composed in serial technique
    • serial music
  5. adjective pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series
    • serial monogamy
    • serial killing
    • a serial killer
    • serial publication
  6. adjective satellite of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations
    in series; nonparallel.
    • serial processing

WordNet

Se"ri*al adjective
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to a series; consisting of a series; appearing in successive parts or numbers; as, a serial work or publication. "Classification . . . may be more or less serial." H. Spencer.
  2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to rows. Gray.
Se"ri*al noun
Definitions
  1. A publication appearing in a series or succession of part; a tale, or other writing, published in successive numbers of a periodical.

Webster 1913