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, queuing 

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

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. See queue-jump

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

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

Gone were the long queues and noisy laughter of just weeks before, despite the sun still shining.

From BBC

Queues snaked around street corners and card payments failed, forcing people to queue for cash and cram on to buses as other transport systems were not running.

From BBC

Mr Demape says he struggled to find a petrol station that was not swamped with long queues.

From BBC

Ordinary Russians appear to be feeling the impact of the strikes, with verified videos showing long queues at petrol stations.

From BBC

A federal shutdown will hit flyers in a variety of ways, potentially leading to long security queues, and delays caused by unpaid air traffic controllers choosing to stay home rather than work for free.

From BBC