Definition of first down
1 : the first of a series of usually four downs 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
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Time Traveler for first down
The first known use of first down was in 1885
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