Definition

1. Noun:

   • A line of people or vehicles waiting for something: A sequence of people or things arranged one behind another, typically awaiting their turn.
   • (Information processing) An ordered list of tasks or messages: A data structure or list where items are processed in the order they are added (first-in, first-out).
   • (Archaic) A braid of hair at the back of the head: A historical hairstyle where the hair is gathered and plaited into a single tail.

2. Verb:

   • To form or wait in a line: To take one's place in a line of people or vehicles.
   • To arrange data in a queue: To place tasks or messages into an ordered list for sequential processing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • There was a long queue at the ticket counter. (A line of people waiting.)
  • The printer job is stuck in the print queue. (A list of tasks in a computer system.)
  • The 18th-century gentleman wore a powdered wig and a queue. (A historical hairstyle.)

• Verb:

  • We had to queue for over an hour to get into the exhibition. (To wait in a line.)
  • The system will queue the incoming requests. (To place data in an ordered list.)

Advanced Usage

• "To jump the queue": To unfairly move ahead of others who are waiting in line.

  • It's rude to jump the queue when others have been waiting patiently.

• "Queue management": The process of organizing and controlling lines of people or tasks.

  • Good queue management is essential for efficient customer service.

Variants and Related Words

• Queueing / Queuing (n/adj): The act or process of forming a queue.

  • The queuing system at the airport was very efficient.

• Dequeue (v): To remove an item from a queue (primarily in computing).

  • The program will dequeue the next task for processing.

• Enqueue (v): To add an item to a queue (primarily in computing).

  • Please enqueue the new print job.

Synonyms

• Line (up) (n/v): A row of people or things; to form such a row.
• Row (n): A line of things or people.
• Sequence (n): A particular order in which related things follow each other (especially in computing contexts).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Queue up: To form or join a line of people waiting.
  • People began to queue up long before the store opened.

Related Idioms

• "Join the queue": To start waiting in line; often used figuratively to mean "wait your turn like everyone else."
  • If you want to complain, you'll have to join the queue.

Noun

1. a braid of hair at the back of the head
2. (information processing) an ordered list of tasks to be performed or messages to be transmitted
3. a line of people or vehicles waiting for something

Verb

1. form a queue, form a line, stand in line
   • Customers lined up in front of the store