first down

noun

plural first downs

1

: the first of a series of usually four downs (see down entry 5 sense 3a) in which a football team must net a 10-yard gain to retain possession of the ball

2

: a gain of a total of 10 or more yards within usually four downs giving the team the right to start a new series of downs

Examples of first down in a Sentence

They have first down on the 20-yard line.

The pass was completed for a first down.

Recent Examples on the Web

And pushing the pile is one way to make a critical first down when it’s needed the most. —Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025

This certainly was not all Tagovailoa’s fault on a night that Miami mustered just five first downs before the first of two fairly meaningless fourth-quarter touchdown drives. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025

When the fourth quarter got underway, the Dolphins had just five total first downs on the night. —Frank Nunns O'Connell, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025

Instead of a first down and a second-and-4, the Lions were looking at third-and-9. —CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for first down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown