first come, first served
idiom
variants
or first come, first serve
—used to say that the people who arrive earliest get served or treated before the people who arrive later
The campsites are first come, first served, so we'd better get there early.
The campsites are assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis.
"Aren't there any cookies left?" "Sorry—first come, first served."
Examples of first come, first served in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These items will all be available in limited supply, and will be first come, first served.
—
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Bike parking Bike parking is free and first come, first served.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Species choice will be first come, first served by reservation.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2025
The tour is limited to 15 people and is first come, first served.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first come, first served
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Bike parking Bike parking is free and first come, first served.
—Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Species choice will be first come, first served by reservation.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2025
The tour is limited to 15 people and is first come, first served.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first come, first served
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 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share