waiting list

American  

noun

1. a list of persons waiting, as for reservations, appointments, living accommodations, or admission to a school.

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waiting list British  

noun

1. a list of people waiting to obtain some object, treatment, status, etc

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Etymology

Origin of waiting list

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

However, PHS estimates that around one in 10 of Scotland's population was on at least one new outpatient, inpatient or day‑case waiting list as of 28 February.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

There’s a waiting list via Coachella itself and there’s also an official resale market and secondary sellers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Her appendix was removed and she was put on a waiting list for a specialist women's hospital.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

The national waiting list for non-life-threatening procedures has almost reached 100,000, including more than 11,000 children, the government says.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

She was in her seventh year on a waiting list for a subsidized one-bedroom apartment in the adjacent Williamsburg neighborhood.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Related Words

• short list
• standby