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
Free Groceries: 9 a.m., Ramona Food & Clothes Closet parking lot, 773 Main St. Open to 18 years or older, first come, first served, 20 to 25 pounds of fresh produce and staples per family.
—
Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
The tour is limited to 15 people and is first come, first served.
Tellus Science Museum
Fun for all ages, the Tellus has 120,000 square feet devoted to all aspects of the sciences.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
Patrons are encouraged to get there early, as tattoo walk-ins will be taken on a first come, first serve basis.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
State forest campsites are first come, first served.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 31 July 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.
Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
The tour is limited to 15 people and is first come, first served.
Tellus Science Museum
Fun for all ages, the Tellus has 120,000 square feet devoted to all aspects of the sciences.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025
Patrons are encouraged to get there early, as tattoo walk-ins will be taken on a first come, first serve basis.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
State forest campsites are first come, first served.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 31 July 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 26 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share