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

This system could replace the traditional chain gang used to measure for first downs, though the chain method would remain available as a backup. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

Replay seemed to show that Allen might have gotten the first down, but the call on the field stood. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 29 Jan. 2025

Here is the play and a few of the thousands of comments that said Allen got the first down. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025

The first was a sneak by Allen that arguably should have been ruled a first down. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1