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

Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates a first down during the fourth quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 24, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

The National Football League will begin using Hawk-Eye technology to call first downs this coming season. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025

Still, Maye was able to make a miraculous pass for the first down, throwing against the grain. —Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 2 June 2025

Also during the past three seasons, the Eagles have scored 27 touchdowns and recorded 92 first downs using the play, according to ESPN. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 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