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

An autopsy report on an Arizona man who died in a crash noted a large shard in his neck that had a DTN serial number inscribed on it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

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

The text messages also included photos, including one of a Javelin missile system whose serial number matched one that he had signed out from the School of Infantry West, court documents show.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 29, 2026

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

A doctor started an IV, while a nurse tried to question the infantryman for his name, rank, and serial number.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge