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

Seguin converted a fake punt for a first down late in the fourth — Polk to Smith — to move the ball to the 25. —Cody Thorn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025

The Chiefs ran the ball right away, handing it to Hunt on first down. —Sam McDowell 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025

Needing a first down to seal the game, McCarthy found Jalen Nailor for a 16-yard gain to convert on a high-pressure third down that allowed the Vikings to take a knee and run out the rest of the clock. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025

The Vikings recorded the third-highest sack rate in Week 9 on first downs, and the fifth-highest on third downs. —Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 3 Nov. 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