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
Eighty seven of his 126 career receptions have gone for first downs.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
This saying certainly comes into play plenty when referees spot the ball either past or before the first down marker.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Only one of those receptions produced a first down.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
Over his last 25 regular-season appearances with Buffalo and Houston, the wideout turned 39.7% of his 224 targets into first downs, converted 4.9% of those targets into touchdowns and dropped 4.9% of them, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2025
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Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
This saying certainly comes into play plenty when referees spot the ball either past or before the first down marker.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Only one of those receptions produced a first down.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
Over his last 25 regular-season appearances with Buffalo and Houston, the wideout turned 39.7% of his 224 targets into first downs, converted 4.9% of those targets into touchdowns and dropped 4.9% of them, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 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 19 Apr. 2025.
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