What does serialize mean?
Serialize means to turn data, information, or an activity into an orderly, sequential form. In computing, it commonly refers to converting data into a standardized representation, such as a string, binary sequence, or structured format, so that it can be stored or transmitted efficiently. The related sense of arranging work or events in sequence also occurs in technical contexts, where operations are serialized to prevent simultaneous access or ensure a defined order. The word is especially common in software engineering, data processing, and communications. Its main contrast is with deserialization, which reverses the process by reconstructing usable data from a serialized representation. Serialization is also distinct from ordinary writing or summarization: it normally preserves a machine-readable structure and follows a defined format or protocol.
verbTo convert data, information, or a process into a sequential or encoded form that can be stored, transmitted, or processed. In computing, it often means to arrange data according to a defined order or format.
- To convert data or information into a sequential or encoded form suitable for storage, transmission, or processing.
- To arrange events, operations, or actions so that they occur one after another rather than concurrently.
"The application serializes user data before sending it to the server."
"The server serializes each submitted form into a structured record."
"The system serializes access to the database so that requests are processed in order."
Every click, message, and saved file often travels through the digital world in serialized form—an ordered, machine-readable version of itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does serialize come from?
Serialize is a derivative of serial, which comes ultimately from Latin series, meaning “a row, chain, or succession.” The Latin root also underlies English words such as series, seriate, and seriation. The suffix -ize was added during the period when English was freely forming verbs meaning “to make something like” or “to put into a specified form,” giving serialize the sense of arranging something in sequence or a form suitable for handling.
Related word forms
How serialize is actually used
The spelling serialize is standard in American English and is also widely used in British English, though serialise is the traditional British form. In computing, the word commonly describes converting objects or data into a format suitable for transmission or storage.
Easily confused with serialize
Serialization converts data into a sequential or encoded representation, while deserialization reconstructs usable data from that representation.