queue

[ kyoo ]

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, queu·ing.

1. to form in a line while waiting (often followed by up ).
2. Computers. to arrange (data, jobs, messages, etc.) into a queue.

queue

/ 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. jump the queue
   See queue-jump

verb

1. introften foll byup 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

Other Words From

• queu·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of queue¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Middle French, from Latin cauda, cōda “tail”

Word History and Origins

Origin of queue¹

C16 (in the sense: tail); C18 (in the sense: pigtail): via French from Latin cauda tail

Example Sentences

A few years ago, I was standing in a queue behind two men and eavesdropping on their conversation.

From The Daily Beast

With Seacrest, the queue of big-name Miss Havishams in lacy, "nude" boring dresses reached a critical mass.

From The Daily Beast

If only because it was the most ridiculously glamorous queue for the make-up chair I have ever seen.

From The Daily Beast

Of course, it could take some time, given that Syria has pushed a lot of things to the back of the queue.

From The Daily Beast

At the beginning of this year, the queue in Embassy/Baghdad was roughly 2,000 cases (meaning upwards of 4-5,000 individuals).

From The Daily Beast

Her hair had fallen from its pins and hung in a braid, its length concealed by her position, and making the effect of a queue.

From Project Gutenberg

The veil had slipped and might easily have been mistaken for a ribbon confining the queue at the base of the head.

From Project Gutenberg

His heart was open as the day,His feelings all were true; His hair was some inclined to gray—He wore it in a queue.

From Project Gutenberg

He wore a long queue, which depended half-way down his back.

From Project Gutenberg

Complaints are useless; a ruthless hand sweeps you away, and the queue closes up.

From Project Gutenberg