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

On plays inside the 5-yard line — and the Chiefs earned four of them in the final moments in Denver — the Chiefs have turned 13 rushing attempts into just two touchdowns or first downs. — Sam McDowell 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

The Chargers also went into halftime with 129 more yards of total offense, nine more minutes of possession and prevented the Rams from achieving a first down on their first five drives for the first time in Sean McVay’s decade as coach. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Gibbs is the only NFL player to run for at least 40 first downs and catch passes for 10-plus first downs through the first six games of a season since the NFL began tracking the data in 1981. — Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026

Nix hit rookie running back Jonah Coleman for a 51-yard gain on first down. — ABC News, 1 Nov. 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