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
Miami struggled mightily in short-yardage situations last season and, in 19 career chances on third-and-1 or fourth-and-1, Mattison has converted a first down 16 of those times.
—
David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Allen and the Bills’ offense were unable to come back at Arrowhead Stadium once again as the Chiefs’ defense came up clutch, and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense got the necessary first downs to ice the victory.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
By comparison, Justice Haynes converted first downs on 15.6 percent of his first-and-10 or longer runs, which ranked 92nd.
—Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Among other changes, the NFL plans to use its virtual measuring system to determine first downs in 2025.
—Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first down
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David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Allen and the Bills’ offense were unable to come back at Arrowhead Stadium once again as the Chiefs’ defense came up clutch, and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense got the necessary first downs to ice the victory.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
By comparison, Justice Haynes converted first downs on 15.6 percent of his first-and-10 or longer runs, which ranked 92nd.
—Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Among other changes, the NFL plans to use its virtual measuring system to determine first downs in 2025.
—Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 26 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 28 Mar. 2025.
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