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 Rams ran it 39 times that night, too, gaining 124 yards as part of a display that amassed 581 yards (80 coming in overtime) with 457 passing yards and 26 first downs. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026

In 1935, Eddie Bauer created the first down-insulated jacket in the country, which is what the company is now widely known for. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026

Of Waddle’s 75 receptions during his first season playing opposite Hill and in Mike McDaniel’s offense, 60 went for first downs. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026

Even McDaniels’ attempts to wear down Houston’s pass rush by running straight at it, with a season-high 76% run rate on first down, mostly failed. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 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