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
Applications open online at noon on April 4, and the funds are available first come, first served.
—
Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024
Texas State Parks will start accepting calls March 8 at 8 a.m., on a first come, first serve basis.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2024
Seating is first come, first serve — but there’s room for at least 200 fans.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024
How to get in: Tables are first come, first served.
—Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2023
Complimentary lockers with mobile charging units (available first come, first served).
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024
These campgrounds, which include others like Bow Willow, are often first come, first served, and in some cases, campers will need to bring their own fire rings, since ground fires are prohibited in the park.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2024
Seating will be first come, first served, except for year-round CAFILM pass holders and invited distributor and filmmaker guests.
—Colleen Bidwill, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2024
Prior to the show, the Broad Stage will also have a variety of programming on the Plaza, including a wine tasting and a puppet jungle — all first come, first served with registration.
—Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2023
Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024
Texas State Parks will start accepting calls March 8 at 8 a.m., on a first come, first serve basis.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2024
Seating is first come, first serve — but there’s room for at least 200 fans.
—Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024
How to get in: Tables are first come, first served.
—Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2023
Complimentary lockers with mobile charging units (available first come, first served).
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024
These campgrounds, which include others like Bow Willow, are often first come, first served, and in some cases, campers will need to bring their own fire rings, since ground fires are prohibited in the park.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2024
Seating will be first come, first served, except for year-round CAFILM pass holders and invited distributor and filmmaker guests.
—Colleen Bidwill, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2024
Prior to the show, the Broad Stage will also have a variety of programming on the Plaza, including a wine tasting and a puppet jungle — all first come, first served with registration.
—Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'first come, first served.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 18 Apr. 2024.
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