Sequence: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• 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.

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 viewer’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.

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.

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