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
John Elway’s first championship in Super Bowl 32 (31-24 over Green Bay) came with 123 yards passing and one memorable whirly-bird rushing first down in San Diego that helped cement his legacy.
—
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Defensive tackle Milton Williams finally got home for a sack on Darnold on first down.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Sam Darnold completed two passes, then the quarterback scrambled for another first down at the New England 46.
—February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
New England punted on five consecutive possessions and finished the half with 51 total yards and four first downs.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first down
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Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Defensive tackle Milton Williams finally got home for a sack on Darnold on first down.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
Sam Darnold completed two passes, then the quarterback scrambled for another first down at the New England 46.
—February 9, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
New England punted on five consecutive possessions and finished the half with 51 total yards and four first downs.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
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 16 Feb. 2026.
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