sequence

[ see-kwuhns ]

noun

1. the following of one thing after another; succession.
2. order of succession:

   a list of books in alphabetical sequence.

   Synonyms: arrangement

3. a continuous or connected series:

   a sonnet sequence.

4. something that follows; a subsequent event; result; consequence.

   Synonyms: sequel, outcome

5. Music. a melodic or harmonic pattern repeated three or more times at different pitches with or without modulation.
6. Liturgy. a hymn sometimes sung after the gradual and before the gospel; prose.
7. Movies. a series of related scenes or shots, as those taking place in one locale or at one time, that make up one episode of the film narrative.
8. Cards. a series of three or more cards following one another in order of value, especially of the same suit.
9. Genetics. the linear order of monomers in a polymer, as nucleotides in DNA or amino acids in a protein.
10. Mathematics. a set whose elements have an order similar to that of the positive integers; a map from the positive integers to a given set.

verb (used with object)

, se·quenced, se·quenc·ing.

1. to place in a sequence.
2. Biochemistry. to determine the order of (chemical units in a polymer chain), especially nucleotides in DNA or RNA or amino acids in a protein.

sequence

/ ˈsiːkwəns /

noun

1. an arrangement of two or more things in a successive order
2. the successive order of two or more things

   chronological sequence

3. a sequentially ordered set of related things or ideas
4. an action or event that follows another or others
5. 1. cards a set of three or more consecutive cards, usually of the same suit
   2. bridge a set of two or more consecutive cards
6. music an arrangement of notes or chords repeated several times at different pitches
7. maths
   1. an ordered set of numbers or other mathematical entities in one-to-one correspondence with the integers 1 to n
   2. an ordered infinite set of mathematical entities in one-to-one correspondence with the natural numbers
8. a section of a film constituting a single continuous uninterrupted episode
9. biochem the unique order of amino acids in the polypeptide chain of a protein or of nucleotides in the polynucleotide chain of DNA or RNA
10. RC Church another word for prose

verb

1. to arrange in a sequence
2. biochem to determine the order of the units comprising (a protein, nucleic acid, genome, etc)

sequence

/ sē′kwəns /

Noun

1. A set of quantities ordered in the same manner as the positive integers, in which there is always the same relation between each quantity and the one succeeding it. A sequence can be finite, such as {1, 3, 5, 7, 9}, or it can be infinite, such as {1, 1 2 , 1 3 , 1 4 , … 1 n }.
2. Also called progression
3. The order of subunits that make up a polymer, especially the order of nucleotides in a nucleic acid or of the amino acids in a protein.

Verb

1. To determine the order of subunits of a polymer.

Other Words From

• under·sequence noun
• un·sequenced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sequence¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin sequentia, equivalent to sequ- (stem of sequī “to follow”) + -entia noun suffix; -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of sequence¹

C14: from Medieval Latin sequentia that which follows, from Latin sequī to follow

Synonym Study

See series.

Example Sentences

By seismologist Lucy Jones’ count, Southern California has experienced 15 independent seismic sequences so far this year in which there have been at least one magnitude 4 or higher earthquake.

From Los Angeles Times

Sediment samples were collected along the walls of the excavation units and sequenced for specific elements, such as nitrogen and carbon, to look for environmental changes over time.

From Science Daily

One expanded sequence is “Dancing Through Life” — specifically, the section at the Ozdust Ballroom.

From Los Angeles Times

Even the most patriotic Welsh fan will expect that sequence to extend to 12 on Saturday when they tackle the double world champions.

From BBC

Some sequences in the genome cause genes to be switched on or off.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• arrangement
• array
• progression
• string