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Synonyms

queue

American  
[kyoo] / kyu /

noun

  1. a braid of hair worn hanging down behind.

  2. a file or line, especially of people waiting their turn.

  3. Computers. a FIFO-organized sequence of items, as data, messages, jobs, or the like, waiting for action.


verb (used with or without object)

queued, queuing
  1. to form in a line while waiting (often followed byup ).

  2. Computers. to arrange (data, jobs, messages, etc.) into a queue.

queue British  
/ kjuː /

noun

  1. a line of people, vehicles, etc, waiting for something

    a queue at the theatre

  2. computing a list in which entries are deleted from one end and inserted at the other

  3. a pigtail

  4. See queue-jump

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to form or remain in a line while waiting

  2. computing to arrange (a number of programs) in a predetermined order for accessing by a computer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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