Heard number that came first (3)
I believe the answer is:
won
'came first' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'heard number' is the wordplay.
'heard' shows a homophone (sound like).
'number' becomes 'one' (one is a kind of whole number).
'one' is a homophone of 'WON'.
'that' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for won that I've seen before include "Eastern currency" , "Gained a victory" , "Korean currency, was victorious" , "Succeeded, conquered" , "Came first" .)