Sequence Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sequence

[หˆsiหkwษ™ns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

mathematics

A set of numbers, letters, or other elements arranged in a particular order.

Synonyms

order, progression, series.

Examples of usage

  • The Fibonacci sequence is a famous mathematical sequence.
  • The sequence of prime numbers is infinite.
Context #2 | Noun

film

The order in which related events, movements, or images are shown in a film.

Synonyms

scene, segment, shot.

Examples of usage

  • The director used flashback sequences to enhance the storytelling.
  • The action sequence in the movie was breathtaking.
Context #3 | Verb

action

To arrange in a particular order or pattern.

Synonyms

arrange, order, sort.

Examples of usage

  • She will sequence the events chronologically in the report.
  • The software can sequence the DNA samples quickly.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • In math, a sequence can be a list of numbers that follows a specific rule, like counting by twos: 2, 4, 6, 8.
  • Sequences can be infinite, meaning they go on forever, such as the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two before it.
  • Mathematicians use sequences to analyze patterns and solve problems in calculus and number theory.

Science

  • In genetics, a sequence refers to a specific order of nucleotides in DNA, which carry the instructions for building proteins.
  • Sequences are important in computer science, especially in programming and algorithms where steps must be executed in order.
  • Chemical reactions often follow sequences, where specific steps must happen for products to form.

Art and Music

  • In music, a sequence refers to a repeated melodic phrase that shifts pitch up or down.
  • Artists often use sequences in visual artworks, creating patterns or progressions that lead the viewerโ€™s eye through a scene.
  • Dance choreography relies heavily on sequences to create fluid movement and story progression.

Literature

  • In storytelling, events are presented in a sequence, helping the audience understand what happens first, next, and last.
  • Poetry can also follow a sequence, with stanzas arranged to create rhythm and emotional impact through intentional order.
  • Writers sometimes employ non-linear sequences to build suspense, starting at the end and revealing events backwards.

Origin of 'sequence'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'sequentia', meaning 'to follow'.
  • It was first used in English around the late 14th century, originally referring to a logical progression.
  • In grammar, it reflects how words or phrases relate and follow each other in a sentence.

The word 'sequence' originated from the Latin word 'sequi' meaning 'to follow'. It was first used in the 14th century to refer to the order in which things follow each other. Over time, the term has been adopted in various fields such as mathematics, biology, and film to describe the arrangement of elements or events in a particular order.


See also: sequencer, subsequence.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,030, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.