Definition
A direct-current electric motor in which the field windings are connected in series with the armature, so the same current flows through both. This configuration produces very high starting torque and allows the motor to develop a large amount of power for its size, but the speed varies widely with the load. Series-wound motors are commonly used in aircraft starters and other intermittent high-torque applications.
Plain English
An electric motor wired so that the same electricity flows through both the spinning part and the magnet coils, one after the other. This wiring gives it a strong twisting force when it first starts up, which is why it is used to crank engines and move heavy loads.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical system discussions, especially when describing engine starter motors.
Derivation
Series' comes from Latin 'series,' meaning a row or chain — components linked one after another in a single line. In this motor, the field coils and armature sit in that single line, so all the current passes through one before reaching the other.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing a starter is series-wound explains why it draws huge current at the moment of engagement and why it must not be run continuously. It also explains the heavy battery demand during start and why long cranking attempts can overheat the motor.
Analogy
It is like putting two workers on the same rope: the same pull goes through both. When the job is heavy at the start, that shared pull gives a strong first effort.
Intuition Check
Do not read wound as an injury here. In this term, wound means wire wrapped into coils. Do not read series as a TV series or a general list. Here, series means one electrical path through connected parts.
Example Sentence 1
The aircraft starter is a series-wound motor, which is why it produces enough torque to turn the engine over against compression.
Example Sentence 2
Series-wound motors deliver high starting torque but can overspeed if unloaded.