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
Copied Share Kyle Hamilton is down for the Ravens
Rohan Nadkarni
Kyle Hamilton, the Ravens do-it-all safety, is on the field and in pain after the Bengals picked up a first down inside Baltimore’s 20-yard line.
—
NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
Philadelphia’s star running back made the first down by executing a deft spin move to elude Jacksonville linebacker Devin Lloyd.
—Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The offsetting penalties negated a first down for the Chargers, but galvanized the team on its first touchdown drive of the game, a 15-play, 90-yard march that ended with a one-yard run by Dobbins.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
On a third and ten play in the third, Tagovailoa scrambled 13 yards and slid for the first down, much to the delight of the crowd.
—Wayne Sterling, CNN, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for first down 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
Philadelphia’s star running back made the first down by executing a deft spin move to elude Jacksonville linebacker Devin Lloyd.
—Kambui Bomani, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
The offsetting penalties negated a first down for the Chargers, but galvanized the team on its first touchdown drive of the game, a 15-play, 90-yard march that ended with a one-yard run by Dobbins.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
On a third and ten play in the third, Tagovailoa scrambled 13 yards and slid for the first down, much to the delight of the crowd.
—Wayne Sterling, CNN, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for first down
Articles Related to first down
Dictionary Entries Near first down
Cite this Entry
“First down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20down. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share