consecutive
adjective
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Concurrent and Consecutive
Consecutive has a good deal in common with the complementary word concurrent. Besides the fact that both begin with the prefix con- (meaning “with, together”), each word deals with the time-order in which several things happen. Concurrent describes things that are occurring, or people who are doing something, at the same time, such as “concurrent users” of a computer program. Consecutive refers to things that are arranged or happen in a sequential order. A criminal who serves a consecutive sentence does time for one conviction after another. If that person gets a concurrent sentence, he or she undergoes all punishments at the same time.
Examples of consecutive in a Sentence
Jack Vita, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
The performance from Alex Vesia, Kyle Hurt, Tanner Scott and Jonathan Hernández extended the bullpen’s scoreless streak to 36 consecutive innings, eclipsing the Dodgers’ previous record of 33 innings in 1998.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
The Padres bounced back from consecutive losses to the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers and beat the AL-West leading A's for the ninth time in their last 10 meetings.
—ABC News, 23 May 2026
Bednar didn’t feel like his team played poorly in a second consecutive home loss.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for consecutive
Cite this Entry
“Consecutive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consecutive. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
consecutive
adjective
from French consécutif "following in a series, consecutive," from Latin consecutus, past participle of consequi "to follow," from con, com- "with, together" and sequi "to follow" — related to sequel
