miniseries

American  

[min-ee-seer-eez] / ˈmɪn iˌsɪər iz /

noun

1. a short series of events or presentations.

2. Television. a program or film broadcast in parts, as the dramatization of a literary work.

   The novel was made into a four-part miniseries.

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miniseries British  

/ ˈmɪnɪˌsɪəriːz /

noun

1. a television programme in several parts that is shown on consecutive days or weeks for a short period

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• miniseries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of miniseries

First recorded in 1970–75; mini- + series

Example Sentences

Mr. King wasn’t crazy about the film and eventually paid Kubrick $1.5 million for the screen rights so that he could write his own 1997 TV miniseries adaptation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Feehan had previously created “Lawman: Bass Reeves,” an eight-part miniseries Sheridan produced for Paramount+ in 2023.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

After “Daniel Deronda,” Nolan starred in the BBC drama “Doomwatch,” where he portrayed scientist George Harcastle, and as Nick Faunt in ITV’s romantic Depression-era miniseries “Shabby Tiger.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Kaczmarek and Cranston as Lois and Hal in a scene from “Life’s Still Unfair,” the miniseries revival.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

I didn’t really understand The Occupation because it didn’t seem like the kind of War we all knew and loved from your average made-for-TV miniseries.

From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff