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

That was all the scoring the Broncos needed, with UNLV managing only a fourth-quarter TD and 13 first downs in the game. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 5 Dec. 2025

His one rushing first down is tied for next to last among starters, ahead of Rams QB and potential league MVP Matt Stafford, who remarkably has no first downs on 25 carries this year after producing 10 on 30 rushing attempts last season. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Dec. 2025

Elliss sent Jaxson Dart flying with a big hit down the sideline in the first quarter when the Giants quarterback was running down the sideline on second-and-12 while trying to pick up a first down. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 4 Dec. 2025

Dart attempted to run the ball on a second down before ultimately getting flattened near the first down marker by New England linebacker Christian Elliss, in attempt to pick up a few extra yards. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 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