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 free tickets are first come, first serve at the door until the showings reach capacity.
—
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2024
At most courts, seating is first come, first served.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2024
There are 36 official campgrounds, which are first come, first served (but must be reserved for groups of seven or more).
—Stephanie Pearson, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024
Food trucks, adult beverages, live music with Sister Hazel at 6 p.m. and Spin Doctors at 8 p.m. Rozzi's Famous Fireworks and Drone Show at 10 p.m. Lawn seating is first come, first serve beginning at 3 p.m. imaginemason.org.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 24 June 2024
Patio seating is first come, first served with weather permitting.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 11 May 2024
Here are those shuttle parking locations and costs: WSU Structure 1, 450 W. Palmer Ave. — $10 per car (first come, first serve)
Bagley Mobility Hub, 1501 Wabash St. — $15 (prepay recommended).
—Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024
No registration is required, but access is first come, first served until parking capacity is reached.
—Laura Randall, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024
Space is limited for this free event; first come, first served.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024
Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2024
At most courts, seating is first come, first served.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2024
There are 36 official campgrounds, which are first come, first served (but must be reserved for groups of seven or more).
—Stephanie Pearson, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024
Food trucks, adult beverages, live music with Sister Hazel at 6 p.m. and Spin Doctors at 8 p.m. Rozzi's Famous Fireworks and Drone Show at 10 p.m. Lawn seating is first come, first serve beginning at 3 p.m. imaginemason.org.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 24 June 2024
Patio seating is first come, first served with weather permitting.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 11 May 2024
Here are those shuttle parking locations and costs: WSU Structure 1, 450 W. Palmer Ave. — $10 per car (first come, first serve)
Bagley Mobility Hub, 1501 Wabash St. — $15 (prepay recommended).
—Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024
No registration is required, but access is first come, first served until parking capacity is reached.
—Laura Randall, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024
Space is limited for this free event; first come, first served.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 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 13 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share