In plain English
It is the specific identifier given to one individual product, not just its model or type. That identifier can be numbers only or a mix of numbers and letters.
In context
Here, it refers to the unique manufacturer-assigned identifier for that particular item.
- Situation
- Managing move-in, move-out, inventory, keys, deposits, and condition reports
- What it communicates
- labels the field for the item's unique manufacturer number.
Meaning limits
The term identifies which individual product it is, but not other information about that product.
Examples
“Although the two radios were the same model, each had a different serial number.”
“The clerk copied the serial number from the heater before packing it.”