sequence

noun

A set of things next to each other in a set order; a series.

(uncountable) The state of being sequent or following; order of succession.

(mathematics) An ordered list of objects, typically indexed with natural numbers.

A series of musical phrases where a theme or melody is repeated, with some change each time, such as in pitch or length (example: opening of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony).

A series of shots that depict a single action or style in a film, television show, or other video medium.

(card games) A meld consisting of three or more cards of successive ranks in the same suit, such as the four, five and six of hearts.

A musical composition used in some Catholic Masses between the readings. The most famous sequence is the Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) formerly used in funeral services.

(now rare) A subsequent event; a consequence or result.

verb

(transitive) To arrange (something) in an order.

(transitive, biochemistry) To determine the order of monomers in (a biological polymer), e.g. of amino acids in (a protein), or of bases in (a nucleic acid).

(transitive, music) To produce (music) with a sequencer.

(intransitive, uncommon) To proceed through a sequence or series of things.

Roots

sequorsequ- · Latin · follow

Synonyms for sequence

subsequencen successionn consecutionn concatenationn seriesn sequentadj consecutivenessn

Synonyms & related words for sequence

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of sequence — including subsequence, succession, consecution, concatenation, series, sequent. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to sequence

Explore words related to sequence — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include sequential, sequencer, seriality, episode, nucleotide, epanodos, sequentially, intercut. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for sequence

Common synonyms for sequence include subsequence, succession, consecution, concatenation, series, sequent, consecutiveness — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does sequence come from?

The word sequence breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root sequ-, from Latin sequor (“follow”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.