first-in-first-out
adjectiveUK /ˌfɜːst ɪn fɜːst aʊt/
US /ˌfɝːst ɪn fɝːst aʊt/
The thing that goes in first is the first one to come out.
The bakery uses a first-in-first-out rule so the older bread is sold before the new bread.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A way of storing data where the oldest item is removed first.
The printer's first-in-first-out buffer prints jobs in the order they were sent.
3. An accounting method where the oldest stock is counted as sold first.
Under first-in-first-out, the cost of the earliest goods bought is used first.
4. A line or queue where people are served in the order they arrive.
The ticket counter works on a first-in-first-out basis, so nobody can jump ahead.