Definition of queue
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a braid of hair usually worn hanging at the back of the head
2 : a waiting line especially of persons or vehicles
3a : a sequence of messages or jobs held in temporary storage awaiting transmission or processing
b : a data structure that consists of a list of records such that records are added at one end and removed from the other
queue
verbqueued; queuing or queueing
Definition of queue (Entry 2 of 2)
: to arrange or form in a queue (see queue entry 1)
: to line up or wait in a queue
—often used with up
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quizWords of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizHow Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quizSCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share queue
Time Traveler for queue
The first known use of queue was in 1748
See more words from the same year