serial number: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Official, Business
Quick answer
What does “serial number” mean?
A unique, sequential code assigned to an individual item (like a product, device, or document) for identification.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unique, sequential code assigned to an individual item (like a product, device, or document) for identification.
Any unique identifier assigned to track and differentiate items within a batch or production run, often used for registration, warranty, or security purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage is identical.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “serial number” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] has serial number [NUMBER].Please provide the serial number of your [DEVICE].The serial number is printed on the [LOCATION].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for inventory management, warranty claims, and customer support.
Academic
Used in research for cataloguing equipment or samples.
Everyday
Used when registering a new phone, appliance, or software.
Technical
Essential in IT for hardware identification, in engineering for parts traceability.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “serial number”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “serial number”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “serial number”
- Using 'serial number' to refer to a product's general type (e.g., 'iPhone 15' is a model, not a serial number).
- Pronouncing 'serial' as 'cereal' /ˈsɪə.ri.əl/ vs. /ˈsɪr.i.əl/.
- Writing 'serial number' as one word ('serialnumber').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically on a sticker or engraved on the device itself, often on the back, bottom, inside the battery compartment, or in the system settings for electronics.
For mobile phones, the IMEI is a specific type of serial number used for cellular network identification.
No, if they are from the same manufacturer and model line, identical serial numbers usually indicate a counterfeit or error.
It allows the support team to identify the exact product, its production date, warranty status, and specific configuration.
A unique, sequential code assigned to an individual item (like a product, device, or document) for identification.
Serial number is usually formal, technical, official, business in register.
Serial number: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪə.ri.əl ˈnʌm.bər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪr.i.əl ˈnʌm.bɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The numbers don't match up.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CEREAL box with a NUMBER printed on it to tell it apart from every other identical box.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ITEM IS A SOLDIER (assigned a serial number for the roster).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a serial number?