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

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

I took out pencil and paper and wrote down my name, rank, serial number, and A.P.O. number.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger