sequence — English Dictionary

Noun

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

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   An alphabet follows a sequence.

   The risks involved in changing the DNA sequence is higher.

2. The state of being sequent or following; order of succession.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Complete the listed tasks in sequence.

3. 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).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. 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.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. An ordered list of objects, typically indexed with natural numbers.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

6. A subsequent event; a consequence or result.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   he found no words to convey the impressions he had received; then he gave way to the anger always the sequence of the antagonism of opinion between them.

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

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   What follows is a bunch of nonstop goofery involving chase sequences, dream sequences, fast-changing costumes and an improbable beard, a little musical help from Flight Of The Conchords, and ultimately a very physical confrontation with a surprisingly spry Victoria.

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

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Verb

1. To arrange (something) in an order.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   We sequenced the code to keep it organised.

   The later edition of the book sequenced the chapters differently, which caused a lot of confusion among non-technical readers.

2. 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).

   Usage

   • Transitive

3. To produce (music) with a sequencer.

   Usage

   • Transitive

4. To proceed through a sequence or series of things.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Uncommon

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   Children start to make meanings and connections as soon as they encounter the book. This starts with the initial analyses and inferences they make when they see the book cover and continues as they sequence through the interior illustrations.

   If indeed smokers sequence through more biologic therapies, these findings may bring about significant practice changes focused on smoking cessation earlier in the CD course.

Noun

1. serial arrangement in which things follow in logical order or a recurrent pattern

   Broader terms

   series

   Examples

   the sequence of names was alphabetical

   he invented a technique to determine the sequence of base pairs in DNA

2. a following of one thing after another in time

   Synonyms

   chronological sequencesuccessionsuccessivenesschronological succession

   Broader terms

   temporal arrangementtemporal order

   Examples

   the doctor saw a sequence of patients

3. film consisting of a succession of related shots that develop a given subject in a movie

   Synonyms

   episode

   Broader terms

   filmphotographic film

4. the action of following in order

   Synonyms

   succession

   Broader terms

   orderordering

   Examples

   he played the trumps in sequence

5. several repetitions of a melodic phrase in different keys

   Broader terms

   repeatrepetition

Verb

1. arrange in a sequence

   Broader terms

   raterankrangeordergradeplace

2. determine the order of constituents in

   Broader terms

   determinefindfind outascertain

   Examples

   They sequenced the human genome