miniseries

American  

[min-ee-seer-eez] / ˈmɪn iˌsɪər iz /

noun

plural

miniseries

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.

---

miniseries British  

/ ˈmɪnɪˌsɪəriːz /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of miniseries

First recorded in 1970–75; mini- + series

Example Sentences

Think about it: When “Battlestar Galactica” was introduced as a miniseries in 2003, America was still reeling from 9/11.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • May 5, 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

An animated series based on the popular “Mafalda” comics, a dystopian miniseries based on a Philip K. Dick novel and a Fito Páez documentary are all on the way.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 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