serial number

American  

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of serial number

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

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

Each bears a unique serial number and since 1950, winners have been prohibited from selling them on the open market without first offering them back to the organization for one dollar.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

Police found a damaged wing mirror casing on the road and traced the serial number to Clarke-Samuel's vehicle.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

“There’s no unique serial number on a load of lobster meat,” Burroughs said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Its serial number was DV-5-2, but that was not very useful.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov