serial number

American  

noun

serial numbers plural

1. a number, usually one of a series, assigned for identification.

   the serial number of an automobile engine.

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serial number British  

noun

1. any of the consecutive numbers assigned to machines, tools, books, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• serial numbers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of serial number

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

serial number

Sellers must also provide relevant device information such as a product’s serial number to prove legitimacy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026

When a rare bottle has a serial number to trace its origin, a buyer on the secondary market likely won’t see it until the purchase is complete.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 2026

But collectors and watch scholars have noted that the timepiece in question featured a serial number that dated it to 1965.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2025

Hochman said the weapon Sepulveda allegedly used was a so-called “ghost gun,” which did not have a serial number.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2025

Each device had a small control panel set into one of its eight sides, along with a serial number.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline