se·quence
ˈsē-kwən(t)s 
-ˌkwen(t)s
1
: a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses for special occasions (such as Easter)
2
: a continuous or connected series: such as
a
: an extended series of poems united by a single theme
a sonnet sequence
b
: three or more playing cards usually of the same suit in consecutive order of rank
c
: a succession of repetitions of a melodic phrase or harmonic pattern each in a new position
d
: a set of elements ordered so that they can be labeled with the positive integers
e
: the exact order of bases in a nucleic acid or of amino acids in a protein
f(1)
: a succession of related shots or scenes developing a single subject or phase of a film story
(2)
: episode
3
a
: order of succession
b
: an arrangement of the tenses of successive verbs in a sentence designed to express a coherent relationship especially between main and subordinate parts
4
a
b
: a subsequent development
5
: continuity of progression
the narrative sequence
sequenced; sequencing
1
: to arrange in a sequence
2
: to determine the sequence of chemical constituents (such as amino-acid residues or nucleic-acid bases) in
Examples of sequence in a Sentence
Noun
He listened to the telephone messages in sequence.
a chase sequence in a spy movie
I enjoyed the movie's opening sequence.
Recent Examples on the Web
JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
The culprit here is a sequence where a deranged surgeon (Pierre Brasseur) attempts to graft a new face onto his daughter’s disfigured one, a scene that — while mild by today’s standards — horrified audiences in 1960.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
To find out if typhus was the sole culprit for the demise of soldiers, the authors of the new study used a method known as high-throughput sequencing, which can sequence millions of DNA fragments at a time.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sequence
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Noun
In orchestrating the flight, Hamida refashions the sequence of events in her own abduction.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
The culprit here is a sequence where a deranged surgeon (Pierre Brasseur) attempts to graft a new face onto his daughter’s disfigured one, a scene that — while mild by today’s standards — horrified audiences in 1960.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Each of the eight discs is sequenced around a theme, which mirrors the progression of the game experience.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
To find out if typhus was the sole culprit for the demise of soldiers, the authors of the new study used a method known as high-throughput sequencing, which can sequence millions of DNA fragments at a time.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sequence
Cite this Entry
“Sequence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sequence. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
sequence
1 of 2 noun
se·quence
ˈsē-kwən(t)s, -ˌkwen(t)s
1
: a continuous or connected series
specifically
: the exact order of bases in a nucleic acid or of amino acids in a protein
2
: a consequence, result, or subsequent development (as of a disease)
sequence
2 of 2 transitive verb
sequenced; sequencing
: to determine the sequence of chemical constituents (as amino acid residues in a protein or bases in a strand of DNA) in
sequenced the DNA of the entire genome of an organism
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