first-in, first-out

American  

[furst-in, furst-out] / ˈfɜrstˈɪn, ˈfɜrstˈaʊt /

noun

1. an inventory plan that assumes that items purchased first will be sold first and that by valuing inventory items at the price of the most recent purchases, inventory values will be comparable to any rise in prices. FIFO

2. Computers. FIFO.

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Example Sentences

FIFO, or "first-in, first-out," is a classic eviction algorithm developed in the 1960s.

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2024

In addition, the agency handles all amended returns, regardless of whether they are amending a current or prior year, on a first-in, first-out basis.

From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2023

If the first-in, first-out rule for selling blocks of stock, which I wrote about last week, takes effect, one option that increases in attractiveness is giving appreciated stock to young adults.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2017

In 2002, Amazon changed the way it accounted for inventory, from the last-in first-out, or LIFO, system to first-in first-out, or FIFO.

From BusinessWeek • Oct. 10, 2013

Those with the fewest assets must make a fast start to escape the first-in, first-out syndrome that often erases little known and underfinanced candidates.

From Time Magazine Archive