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.

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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

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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

Other Word Forms

• queuer noun

Etymology

Origin of queue

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

Example Sentences

The streets of Caracas were deserted and quiet on Sunday, with many businesses closed and moderate queues at some markets and pharmacies.

From Barron's

Residents queued up to buy food in grocery stores and the masked, heavily armed police visible the previous day were gone, AFP correspondents said.

From Barron's

With 99% of the South Wales Metro network now electrified, it is hoped big queues following major events in Cardiff will become a thing of the past.

From BBC

The streets in my south-eastern suburb of the Venezuelan capital Caracas are quiet, besides the queues outside petrol stations, supermarkets and pharmacies.

From BBC

At their son's funeral, at Leeds Parish Church, Alan recalls people "queuing opposite the church" and lining the road beyond.

From BBC