title: What does "serializing operation" mean in the sfence documentation?
body: <p>The <a href="https://x86.puri.sm/html/file_module_x86_id_289.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">documentation</a> for <code>sfence</code> says:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Performs a serializing operation on all store-to-memory instructions
    that were issued prior the SFENCE instruction.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>What does "serializing operation" mean?</p>
  
  <p>Does it mean <strong>make sure all store-to-memory instructions that were issued prior to the <code>sfence</code> instruction are completed before continuing executing the instructions after <code>sfence</code></strong>?</p>