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
Buffalo also was the second-best team in the NFL this season in fourth-down conversions, getting the first down 72.7% of the time (16 of 22) in the regular season.
—
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
The Ravens gained more yards (416 to 273) and first downs (23 to 20) than the Bills, but still lost.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Washington head coach Dan Quinn decided to be aggressive and sent his offense to try and pick up the first down and succeeded on a quarterback keeper from Daniels.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Rohan Nadkarni The Vikings were given a new life on their most recent drive after a roughing-the-kicker penalty on a punt gave them a first down.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2025
The Ravens gained more yards (416 to 273) and first downs (23 to 20) than the Bills, but still lost.
—Chris Branch, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
Washington head coach Dan Quinn decided to be aggressive and sent his offense to try and pick up the first down and succeeded on a quarterback keeper from Daniels.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Rohan Nadkarni The Vikings were given a new life on their most recent drive after a roughing-the-kicker penalty on a punt gave them a first down.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for first down
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Cite this Entry
“First down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20down. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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