Queueing: meaning, definitions and examples
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queueing
[ ˈkjuːɪŋ ]
waiting in line
Queueing is the act of waiting in a line for a service or to enter a place. It is a common practice in many cultures and is used to maintain order and fairness. Queueing helps prevent chaos and ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to receive the service or enter the place.
Synonyms
lining up, standing in line, waiting in line.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| queueing |
Primarily used in British English, refers to the action of waiting in a line for something.
|
| waiting in line |
Used in American English to describe the act of being in a line while awaiting a turn. It emphasizes the waiting aspect.
|
| lining up |
Commonly used in both British and American English, can refer to both the physical act of forming a line and the figurative sense of arranging or organizing things or people.
|
| standing in line |
Mainly used in American English. Describes the action of waiting in a line, typically with a more casual tone.
|
Examples of usage
- People were queueing outside the store before it even opened.
- We spent hours queueing for tickets to the concert.
- The queueing system at the airport was well-organized and efficient.
to form or join a line
To queue is to form or join a line of people waiting for a service or to enter a place. It involves standing in a specific order and waiting your turn. Queueing is a social norm that helps maintain order and fairness in various situations.
Synonyms
line-up, stand in line, wait in line.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| queueing |
Duplicate term. See context and examples for 'queueing'. |
| wait in line |
Mostly used in American English to describe the act of waiting one's turn while in a line.
|
| line-up |
Can refer to arranging in a line but often used in contexts like organizing people or items. Also used metaphorically for a schedule of events or performances.
|
| stand in line |
Common in American English, usually means standing in a line while waiting for something.
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Examples of usage
- We had to queue for over an hour to get into the museum.
- People were queueing up outside the restaurant for a table.
- She queued patiently for her turn at the checkout.
Translations
Translations of the word "queueing" in other languages:
🇵🇹 enfileiramento
🇮🇳 कतार लगाना
🇩🇪 Warteschlange
🇮🇩 mengantre
🇺🇦 очікування в черзі
🇵🇱 kolejkowanie
🇯🇵 キューイング
🇫🇷 mise en file d'attente
🇪🇸 haciendo cola
🇹🇷 kuyrukta beklemek
🇰🇷 줄 서기
🇸🇦 الاصطفاف
🇨🇿 řazení do fronty
🇸🇰 zaradovanie do radu
🇨🇳 排队
🇸🇮 postavljanje v vrsto
🇮🇸 röð
🇰🇿 кезекке тұру
🇬🇪 რიგში დგომა
🇦🇿 növbəyə durmaq
🇲🇽 haciendo cola
Etymology
The word 'queueing' originated from the French word 'queue,' which means 'tail.' The concept of forming a line or queue has been around for centuries as a way to organize and manage crowds efficiently. Queueing became more prevalent with the rise of industrialization and urbanization, where large numbers of people needed to wait for services or goods. Today, queueing is a common practice worldwide, used in various settings such as transportation, entertainment, and retail.
See also: queue.