Serial

Serial refers to something that occurs in a sequence or is presented in a series of parts. The term is used across contexts to denote a progression, rather than a single, complete item.

In technology, serial describes data transmission sent one bit at a time over a channel. Serial communication contrasts with parallel transmission and is used in many interfaces and protocols. Examples include RS-232 serial ports and the serial data paths used by USB. A serial port is a physical interface for such communication; a serial number is a unique identifier assigned to a specific item for identification and tracking.

In publishing and media, serial refers to content released in installments, such as serialized novels, magazines that publish stories in sequence, or episodic broadcasts. The format allows ongoing publication over time rather than a single, complete work.

Serial is also the title of a notable investigative podcast released in 2014 that examines a single case across multiple episodes. The term's usage reflects the broader idea of installment-based storytelling and identification.