Describes something that proceeds in order, step by step, or one after another. Often used in technical or formal contexts.
Process the data sequentially.
Sequential improvements are important.
段階的 implies proceeding in distinct stages or phases, whereas 逐次的 can refer to any sequential process, not necessarily with clear stages.
Compound of 逐次 (chikuji, 'successively') + 的 (-teki, '-like, -al'). The exact historical derivation of 逐次 is uncertain, but the kanji 逐 means 'pursue' or 'follow in order' and 次 means 'next'.