serial port: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical
Quick answer
What does “serial port” mean?
A physical interface on a computer that transmits data one bit at a time sequentially.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A physical interface on a computer that transmits data one bit at a time sequentially.
A hardware communication interface, largely legacy, used for connecting peripherals like mice, modems, or printers, operating via standards like RS-232. It can also refer to a virtual or logical port in software development.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical differences. The technical standard names (e.g., RS-232) are universal.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Connotes legacy hardware, basic connectivity, and simplicity in data transmission.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used almost exclusively in computing, electronics, and IT contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “serial port” in a Sentence
The [device] connects to the [serial port].Configure the [serial port] for [baud rate].Data is sent through the [serial port].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “serial port” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not commonly used attributively beyond the compound noun]
American English
- [Not commonly used attributively beyond the compound noun]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in procurement of industrial or legacy hardware.
Academic
Used in computer science, electronics, and engineering courses covering hardware interfaces or communication protocols.
Everyday
Extremely rare; mostly encountered when dealing with old peripherals or specific technical tasks.
Technical
Common in IT, hardware engineering, industrial control systems, and embedded systems development.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “serial port”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “serial port”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “serial port”
- Confusing 'serial port' with 'USB port' (a different, modern standard).
- Using 'serial' as a synonym for 'consecutive' in non-technical contexts when referring to the port.
- Mispronouncing 'serial' as /ˈsɪr.əl/ (like 'circulate' without the 'y' sound).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A USB (Universal Serial Bus) port is a different, more modern and versatile standard that largely replaced traditional serial ports for connecting peripherals.
In modern computing, they are primarily used for debugging embedded systems, configuring network hardware (like routers or switches), and interfacing with specialised industrial or scientific equipment.
'COM' is an abbreviation for 'communication'. In Windows operating systems, physical and virtual serial ports are assigned names like COM1, COM2, etc.
Yes, you can use an external USB-to-serial adapter, which creates a virtual serial port on your computer, allowing it to communicate with serial devices.
A physical interface on a computer that transmits data one bit at a time sequentially.
Serial port is usually technical in register.
Serial port: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪə.ri.əl pɔːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪr.i.əl pɔːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SERIAL' as in 'one after another' (data bits in a line) + 'PORT' as in 'harbour' (a place to connect a device).
Conceptual Metaphor
A PORT is a GATEWAY; a SERIAL PORT is a single-file, orderly gateway for data.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the primary characteristic of a serial port?