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

There is a log-jam of quality back-three options ahead of him in the queue for an England spot, but his ability to carve through traffic is notable.

From BBC

Groceries arrive, coffee is strong, music is queued, and the kitchen hums as you chop, roast, stir, and stack.

From Salon

At the same time, even getting complaints into the investigative queue is getting harder.

From Salon

The situation has been described as "absolute chaos" by one traveller, and images of the port show a long line of vehicles queuing at a standstill.

From BBC

There will be separate queues for people who already have a ticket and those buying them on the spot.

From Barron's