Definition of: serial

(sir′ē·əl) adjective
1. Of the nature of a series.
2. Published in a series at regular intervals.
3. Successive; arranged in rows or ranks: also se·ri·ate (sir′ē·it, -āt).
—noun
1. A novel or other story regularly presented in successive instalments, as in a magazine, on radio or television, or in motion pictures.
2. Brit. A periodical.
3. A subdivision of a military unit organized for transport or for marching. ♦ Homophone: cereal. [<NL serialis <L series a row, order]
—se′ri·al·ly, se′ri·ate·ly adverb