serial number

noun

1. a number, usually one of a series, assigned for identification:

   the serial number of an automobile engine.

serial number

noun

1. any of the consecutive numbers assigned to machines, tools, books, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of serial number¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

What they hoped was the famed Lockheed Electra 10E Special, serial number 1055, turned out to be an “unfortunate” geologic formation, according to a company statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Listed in the eight counts against him, McDonald owned two gold-plated semi-automatic firearms, Glock and Micro Draco pistols, the latter of which was a “ghost gun” without a serial number.

From Los Angeles Times

One company printed an image of a raised middle finger on a product with the text: “Here’s your serial number.”

From Slate

Again, the legal question is not difficult: Under federal law, parts that “may readily be converted” to fire a bullet are a firearm, so their sale must comply with the usual regulations, including needing a serial number and background check.

From Slate

Customers could purchase the gun without a background check and put it together in as little as 20 minutes with the help of a YouTube video; the resulting firearm would have no serial number, rendering it untraceable by law enforcement.

From Slate