Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to a sequence or series: Describes something that occurs, is performed, or is published in a successive order, one part after another.
   • Relating to a single linear order: Pertaining to a method of processing or performing tasks one at a time in a sequence, rather than simultaneously.

2. Noun:

   • A story or program published/broadcast in parts: A literary work, television program, or radio program that is released in regular installments.
   • A periodical: A magazine or journal published at scheduled intervals.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The police investigated a series of serial killings in the city.
  • The data was processed in serial order, which took longer than parallel processing.
  • She was only interested in serial monogamy, having one long-term partner after another.

• Noun:

  • I never miss an episode of my favorite detective serial on television.
  • The novel was first published as a serial in a monthly magazine.
  • This academic serial is issued quarterly.

Advanced Usage

• "Serial comma" (or Oxford comma): The comma used immediately before a coordinating conjunction (usually 'and' or 'or') in a list of three or more items.

  • In the list "red, white, and blue," the serial comma is the one after "white."

• "Serial number": A unique identifier assigned incrementally to an item to distinguish it from others of the same type.

  • Please provide the serial number of your device for warranty registration.

• "Serial rights": The legal rights to publish a work in successive installments in periodicals.

  • The author sold the serial rights to her novel to a popular magazine.

Variants and Related Words

• Serialize (verb): To publish or present (a story, program, etc.) in regular installments.

  • The network decided to serialize the classic novel over ten weeks.

• Serially (adverb): In a serial manner; one after another.

  • The tasks were completed serially, not in parallel.

• Serialization (noun): The process of converting something into a serial form or the state of being published in serial form.

  • The serialization of the book increased its popularity.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Sequential, consecutive, successive, periodic.
• Noun: Series, installment, periodical, magazine.

Related Phrases

• "Serial offender": A person who repeatedly commits the same type of crime.

  • The judge gave a harsh sentence to the serial offender.*

• "In serial": One after the other in a sequence.

  • The documents were filed in serial according to their case numbers.

Adjective

1. of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations
   • serial processing
2. pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series
   • serial monogamy
   • serial killing
   • a serial killer
   • serial publication
3. pertaining to or composed in serial technique
   • serial music
4. in regular succession without gaps
   • serial concerts

Noun

1. a periodical that appears at scheduled times
2. a serialized set of programs
   • a comedy series
   • the Masterworks concert series