queue
Americannoun
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a braid of hair worn hanging down behind.
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a file or line, especially of people waiting their turn.
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Computers. a FIFO-organized sequence of items, as data, messages, jobs, or the like, waiting for action.
verb (used with or without object)
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to form in a line while waiting (often followed byup ).
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Computers. to arrange (data, jobs, messages, etc.) into a queue.
noun
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a line of people, vehicles, etc, waiting for something
a queue at the theatre
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computing a list in which entries are deleted from one end and inserted at the other
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a pigtail
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See queue-jump
verb
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to form or remain in a line while waiting
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computing to arrange (a number of programs) in a predetermined order for accessing by a computer
Other Word Forms
- queuer noun
Etymology
Origin of queue
First recorded in 1585–95; from Middle French, from Latin cauda, cōda “tail”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unlike some of its neighbours, Indonesia has not seen long fuel queues as global oil prices have soared due to Iran's de facto closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
From Barron's
On the lower house floor, lawmakers queued up at a row of tables and dropped their ballots into one of three clear-sided boxes.
From Barron's
He said removing potential posts at a time when "corridor care and GP queues" are already putting the NHS under pressure, is clearly bad for patients.
From BBC
His form has inevitably brought speculation over his City Ground future - with Manchester City - who he scored against this month - believed to be at the front of the queue to sign him this summer.
From BBC
Videos on social media of travellers snaked around buildings in massive queues have gone viral, and led to concerns about the US' ability to co-host the World Cup starting in June.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.