A queue is a first-in, first-out (FIFO) data structure where elements are added to the rear of the queue and removed from the front of the queue. Common queue operations include enqueue to add an element, dequeue to remove an element, and functions to access the front and rear of the queue. Queues can be implemented using arrays or linked lists, with pointers or indexes to track the front and rear of the queue. The document provides examples of these operations and overflow/underflow conditions that can occur.