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

The Chiefs won most of the stats, like total yards (353-266) and first downs (21-13), but couldn’t find a way to win their first preseason game since 2023. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026

Carroll’s defense gave up a first down, but then forced four consecutive incompletions to take the ball back and run out the clock. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

Howell had one more chance to rally the Cowboys and picked up another first down before four consecutive incompletions clinched the win for the Saints in the final minute. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Lake Howell got a first down, but then stalled and forced to punt again. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

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