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
Tucker Kraft dropped a first down throw on a third-and-8, then Brandon McManus missed a 46-yard field goal.
—
Rob Reischel, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
With his team down 31-10 in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills, the quarterback spotted a gap at the line of scrimmage and decided to scramble for a first down.
—Pandora Dewan, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Another notable play came early in the second half when Tagovailoa ran for 13 yards, securing a first down before sliding to avoid a tackle from the Cardinals' defense.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, 27 Oct. 2024
Martin also ran for a couple of first downs, converted a fourth down by zipping a pass to Logan Loya and ended his team’s offensive touchdown drought with another pass to Loya.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for first down 
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Rob Reischel, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
With his team down 31-10 in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills, the quarterback spotted a gap at the line of scrimmage and decided to scramble for a first down.
—Pandora Dewan, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Another notable play came early in the second half when Tagovailoa ran for 13 yards, securing a first down before sliding to avoid a tackle from the Cardinals' defense.
—Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, 27 Oct. 2024
Martin also ran for a couple of first downs, converted a fourth down by zipping a pass to Logan Loya and ended his team’s offensive touchdown drought with another pass to Loya.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
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 14 Nov. 2024.
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