What does serializing mean?
Serializing is the act of arranging something as an ordered sequence. Its most common technical use is in computing: software serializes structured data, such as objects, records, or JSON-compatible values, into a linear form that can be stored or transmitted. The reverse operation is known as deserializing. In literature and publishing, serializing means releasing a novel, comic, story, or other work in successive parts, often in a magazine or newspaper. The word can therefore refer either to converting information into sequence form or to presenting a creative work over time. It is especially useful in technical writing because it names a precise transformation rather than merely the general act of arranging or encoding. Outside computing, the term may sound somewhat formal, but it is also widely recognized in discussions of serialized stories and serialized media.
verbTo convert an object or process into a sequence of ordered parts. It can also mean to publish a work in successive installments.
- To convert an object, collection, or body of information into a sequence.
- To publish a novel, comic, or other work in successive installments.
"The application serializes the records before transmitting them to the server."
"The developer wrote a function to serialize the API response as JSON."
"She spent three years serializing the novel before it was finally published as a complete book."
Serializing turns something whole into an ordered sequence—sometimes for storage, sometimes for the suspense of a story released one chapter at a time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does serializing come from?
The word belongs to the Latin root series, meaning a row or sequence, which was already used in English for a succession of related things or installments. The verb developed by adding the suffix -ize to serialize, with the spelling -izing standard in American English and -ising common in British English. Its publishing sense is connected with serial, meaning published or arranged in installments, while its technical sense developed from the idea of converting an ordered structure into a linear sequence.
Related word forms
How serializing is actually used
In computing, serializing generally means converting structured data into a linear format suitable for storage or transmission; the reverse process is commonly called deserializing. In publishing, the term refers to releasing a work in installments. Both serializing and the British variant serialising are standard in their respective varieties of English.
Easily confused with serializing
Serialising is the British spelling of serializing, while serializing is the standard spelling in American English.