Dibs is a slang term used to stake a claim on something. Calling dibs is typically done by yelling "Dibs on ____", filling in the blank with the item. The system operates mostly on a first-come, first-served basis.

For the most part, calling 'dibs' on something that is going to happen in the late future is not acceptable, but things that are fast approaching are. At any rate, even if no one accepts the dibber's dibs, that person is still announcing their intent to have dibs on the thing they have called. As an example, when planning to leave on a trip the next day a call of "dibs on the front seat in the car tomorrow" would normally be rejected, but if that person gets to the front seat first, there is little anyone else can do. Similarly, it may be acceptable for someone to say on the ride home "dibs on the washroom", because it is something happenning in the present or near future (plus, that person has implied that they have to go to the washroom).