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
The Applause Club, Starlight’s dining experience, opens at 6:30 p.m. and is first come, first served on Broadway show nights.
—
Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2024
Patio seating is first come, first served with weather permitting.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 6 May 2024
Renters will pay around $100 a month to park in the building, and spots are first come, first served.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2024
These seats are first come, first served and a ticket in the supporter’s stand costs $152, while a ticket in the south stand is $167.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
Due to the time required for the cooking process, ducks are available first come, first served, and can sell out quickly.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Indoor seating by reservation, patio seating is first come, first served.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 26 Mar. 2024
Plot availability across the sites is first come, first serve so be sure to check out which DUG gardens are near you soon.
—Tamara Yakaboski, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2024
Wildflower Explorations March 23-April 28, Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m.
Wildflower Explorations are first come, first served with sign-ups required the morning-of at the Sunol Visitor Center.
—John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2024
Patio seating is first come, first served with weather permitting.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 6 May 2024
Renters will pay around $100 a month to park in the building, and spots are first come, first served.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2024
These seats are first come, first served and a ticket in the supporter’s stand costs $152, while a ticket in the south stand is $167.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
Due to the time required for the cooking process, ducks are available first come, first served, and can sell out quickly.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Indoor seating by reservation, patio seating is first come, first served.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 26 Mar. 2024
Plot availability across the sites is first come, first serve so be sure to check out which DUG gardens are near you soon.
—Tamara Yakaboski, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2024
Wildflower Explorations March 23-April 28, Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m.
Wildflower Explorations are first come, first served with sign-ups required the morning-of at the Sunol Visitor Center.
—John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024
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 19 May. 2024.
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