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first down

noun

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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Examples of first down in a Sentence

  1. They have first down on the 20-yard line.

  2. The pass was completed for a first down.

First Known Use of first down

1885

FIRST DOWN Defined for English Language Learners

first down

noun

Definition of first down for English Language Learners

  • American football : the first of a series of usually four downs in which a team must gain 10 yards to keep the ball; also : the right to start a new series of downs after a gain of 10 or more yards

Learn More about first down

  1. See words that rhyme with first down

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Examples: first down in a Sentence