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

There have also been serious issues with ambulances forced to queue up outside Aberdeen Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency department.

From BBC

She is concerned that if approved, residents who move in will issue noise complaints about the smoking area, the queue and the bass from music.

From BBC

Local media showed that long queues had already formed at schools and other polling centres as voting began on Wednesday morning.

From BBC

But Bella Barnes, a first year accounting and finance student at Oxford Brookes University, said she queued for 24 hours just to secure a home for her second year.

From BBC

Every day in the past week, Umm Ahmed has stood with her children in a huge queue outside a bakery in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where ultimately some loaves are given out.

From BBC