single file

American  

noun

1. a line of persons or things arranged one behind the other; Indian file.

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single file British  

noun

1. a line of persons, animals, or things ranged one behind the other, either stationary or moving

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Etymology

Origin of single file

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

One by one, cattle fall behind him single file to consume a breakfast of ground corn and hay.

From The Wall Street Journal

They walked in single file, many of them barefoot, carrying flowers, handing out bracelets and picking up new followers along the way.

From Salon

The al-mirajes followed in a long line, single file, the tip of one al-miraj’s horn just touching the white tail of the one in front.

From Literature

When the race began at 4, two hours before sunrise, we scurried off into the woods in tight single file.

From The Wall Street Journal

When he finally looked up, he saw players lined up in a single file offering hugs and telling him, “We’re going to win this battle together.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• queue