JavaScript (ES2026) reference · Array Methods

JavaScript Array shift() Method

Remove the first element of the array and return it, moving the other elements down. Returns undefined if empty.

JavaScript (ES2026) Since ES3

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Syntax

array.shift()

The removed element, or undefined.

Remove the first elementTry it yourself

const queue = ["first", "second", "third"];
console.log(queue.shift(), queue);

Output

first [ 'second', 'third' ]

Process a queueTry it yourself

const jobs = ["a", "b"];
let job;
while ((job = jobs.shift()) !== undefined) console.log("processing", job);

Output

processing a
processing b

Version	Change
JavaScript ES3	Added

array.unshift() · Add one or more elements to the start of the array and return the new length. Changes the array in place.
array.pop() · Remove the last element from the array and return it. Changes the array; returns undefined if it is empty.
array.slice() · Return a shallow copy of part of the array, from start up to (not including) end. The original is not changed.
JavaScript Arrays · tutorial
JavaScript Array Methods · tutorial