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
Instead, the Patriots totaled just 181 yards of offense and 11 first downs.
—
Chad Graff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
On the Red team’s next possession, Martin scrambled four yards on fourth down-and-4 at the 41 to gain a first down as the first quarter expired.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2025
Over Sutton’s last 25 regular-season games, per the same site, he’s turned 41.9% of his 179 targets into first downs, 6.7% of those targets into touchdowns and dropped 7.8% of them.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2025
Throughout his career, the Chiefs have relied on him for first downs and touchdowns, forcing him to shoulder more responsibility.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first down
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Chad Graff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
On the Red team’s next possession, Martin scrambled four yards on fourth down-and-4 at the 41 to gain a first down as the first quarter expired.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 26 Apr. 2025
Over Sutton’s last 25 regular-season games, per the same site, he’s turned 41.9% of his 179 targets into first downs, 6.7% of those targets into touchdowns and dropped 7.8% of them.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2025
Throughout his career, the Chiefs have relied on him for first downs and touchdowns, forcing him to shoulder more responsibility.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 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 17 May. 2025.
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