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 a 3rd and 1 late in the third quarter, DC Defenders running back Abram Smith ran through a hole between the left guard and center to convert the first down.
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Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The biggest ones that have been approved so far are changes to overtime rules and how first downs are measured.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
The optimal tracking system notifies officiating instantly if a first down was gained after the ball is spotted by hand.
—Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
My main takeaway was how cool Hollywood Brown’s first down celly was.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first down
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Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
The biggest ones that have been approved so far are changes to overtime rules and how first downs are measured.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
The optimal tracking system notifies officiating instantly if a first down was gained after the ball is spotted by hand.
—Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
My main takeaway was how cool Hollywood Brown’s first down celly was.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first down
Cite this Entry
“First down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20down. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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