Queue

Definition

The term "queue" describes a line or sequence of people, vehicles, or objects waiting for their turn, or the act of organizing items into a line or sequence.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /kjuː/
• Respelling: KYOO

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /kjuː/
• Respelling: KYOO

Etymology

The word "queue" originates from the Latin "cauda," meaning "tail," which passed through Old French "queue," referring to a tail or line. It entered English in the 16th century.

Derivatives

• Queued (verb, past tense)
• Queueing (verb, present participle)
• Dequeue (verb)
• Enqueue (verb)
• Queuer (noun)

Synonyms

• Line
• Row
• Sequence

Antonyms

• Disorder
• Disarray
• None

Usage

The term "queue" is used in various contexts, including waiting lines, computer science, and organized sequences. For example: "There was a long queue at the ticket counter," or "The printer is processing the document queue."

Related Terms

• Line: A sequence of people or things arranged in order.
• Priority: The importance or urgency determining the order in a queue.
• Stack: A data structure opposite in behavior to a queue.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A line or sequence of people or objects: Refers to an orderly arrangement of items waiting for their turn.
  • Example: "There was a queue of cars waiting at the toll booth."
• A data structure in computing: Refers to a collection of items arranged in a specific order, often following the first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle.
  • Example: "The task scheduler uses a queue to manage jobs."

Verb

• To organize items into a line or sequence: Refers to the act of arranging people, vehicles, or objects in order.
  • Example: "Please queue up to enter the venue."
• To add items to a list for sequential processing: Refers to placing tasks or requests in an order for execution.
  • Example: "The songs were queued for playback."