Dictionary of Business Terms: serial port
serial port
a connection by which a computer can transmit data to another device using serial transmission. Serial ports on a PC are commonly designated as COM1 and COM2; one is usually used for a modem. Contrast with parallel port.
Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms: serial port
serial port
a connection by which a computer can transmit data to another device using serial transmission-that is, one bit at a time. Windows PCs typically have two serial ports labeled COM1 and COM2, one of which may be an internal modem; UNIX systems often identify their serial ports as /dev/ttya and /dev/ttyb. Most serial ports follow the EIA-232D (RS-232) standard. Contrast parallel port; USB.
