queen

Queen is a term with several related but distinct meanings. It can denote a female monarch, a female reproductive insect in social colonies, a chess piece, or a cultural reference. The English word derives from Old English cwēn, related to other Germanic terms for female sovereigns.

As a monarch, a queen may reign in her own right, known as a queen regnant, or serve as queen consort, the wife of a king. In many modern states, queens serve ceremonial roles; in others, they hold limited or ambiguous political authority. The institution and powers of monarchy vary widely across cultures and historical periods.

In chess, the queen is the most versatile piece, moving any number of squares in any direction. It combines the powers of rook and bishop and is usually valued at nine points.

In biology, queen refers to the reproductive female in a colony of social insects such as honeybees, ants, and termites. The queen lays eggs and often produces pheromones that help regulate colony behavior and development. Some species have multiple queens; others periodically replace their queen through swarming or supersedure.

In culture, Queen is the name of a British rock band formed in 1970; they are known for a flamboyant fusion of genres and the iconic lead vocalist Freddie Mercury. The term queen also appears in various contexts such as drag queens, or as a metaphor within language, and is commonly used in phrases and titles.