first come, first served

phrase

variants or first come, first serve
used to say that the people who arrive earliest get served before those who arrive later
There are no reservations. The campsites are first come, first served.

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Cite this Entry

“First come, first served.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20come%2C%20first%20served. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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