Definition of 'queue'

Word Frequency

queue

(kyu )

Word forms: queues, queuing, queuedlanguage note: Queueing can also be used as the continuous form.

1. countable noun

A queue is a list of computer tasks which will be done in order.

[computing]

Your print job has already been sent from your PC to the network print queue.

2. transitive verb

To queue a number of computer tasks means to arrange them to be done in order.

[computing]

3. countable noun

A queue is a line of people or vehicles that are waiting for something.

[mainly British]regional note: in AM, usually use line

Synonyms: tailback, line, traffic jam, stream More Synonyms of queue

4. countable noun

If you say there is a queue of people who want to do or have something, you mean that a lot of people are waiting for an opportunity to do it or have it.

[mainly British]regional note: in AM, usually use line

Synonyms: wait, waiting list More Synonyms of queue

5. intransitive verb

When people queue, they stand in a line waiting for something.

[mainly British]

Synonyms: wait in line, line up, stand in a queue, form a queue More Synonyms of queue

More Synonyms of queue

Video: pronunciation of
queue

queue in American English

(kju )

noun

a plait of hair worn hanging from the back of the head; pigtail

2. British

a line or file of persons, vehicles, etc. waiting as to be served

a stored arrangement of computer data or programs, waiting to be processed

verb intransitiveWord forms: queued or ˈqueuing

4. British

to form in or be part of a line or file while waiting to be served, etc.

often with up

Word origin

Fr < OFr coue < L coda, var. of cauda, tail

Word Frequency

queue in British English

(kjuː ) mainly British

noun

a line of people, vehicles, etc, waiting for something

a queue at the theatre

US and Canadian word: line

2. computing

a list in which entries are deleted from one end and inserted at the other

a pigtail

4. See jump the queue

verbWord forms: queues, queuing, queueing or queued

5. (intransitive; often foll by up)

to form or remain in a line while waiting

6. computing

to arrange (a number of programs) in a predetermined order for accessing by a computer

Word origin

C16 (in the sense: tail); C18 (in the sense: pigtail): via French from Latin cauda tail

Examples of 'queue' in a sentence
queue

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

America must be at the front of that queue. People are queueing to get in from one in the morning.All of a sudden a woman muscled her way to the front of the queue.The chain apologised after the problem led to long queues and angry scenes at checkouts across the country.The pair are said to have joined a car queue then left with takeaways while still in the saddle.This is an opportunity for those that really want the upgrade to get to the front of the queue.There were scenes of chaos as hundreds queued to take buses to other destinations in France. Thousands of people queued to pay tribute at the opera house in Donetsk where his body was displayed.Thousands more will join the dole queues within a year or so.There was chaos at airports as queues formed after the introduction of restrictions on hand luggage.