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

Kansas City had 19 first downs but struggled in the red zone, going 1-for-4. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025

The Lions failed time after time to get a first down that could have sustained a drive or led to a score against an Eagles defense that turned in a masterpiece. —CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

The penalty call iced the game for the Eagles, who were able to pick up a first down on three running plays and end the game with a quarterback kneel. —Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025

In eight drives opening drives since, Denver’s totaled three first downs. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 14 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