1. (电视或广播的)连续剧;(报纸或杂志上的)连载小说
    A serial is a story which is broadcast on television or radio or is published in a magazine or newspaper in a number of parts over a period of time.

    e.g. ...one of BBC television's most popular serials, Eastenders...
           英国广播公司最受欢迎的电视连续剧之一——《伦敦东区》
    e.g. Maupin's novels have all appeared originally as serials.
           莫平的小说最初都是以连载的形式出现的。

2. 连续的;连环的
    Serial killings or attacks are a series of killings or attacks committed by the same person. This person is known as a serial killer or attacker.

    e.g. ...serial murders...
           连环凶杀案
    e.g. The serial killer claimed to have killed 400 people.
           那名连环杀手声称已经杀了 400 人。