First Down Definition & Meaning

Definition

Examples

first down American

noun

Football.

1. the first of four consecutive plays during which an offensive team must advance the ball at least ten yards to retain possession of it.

2. a gain of ten or more yards by an offensive team that entitles it to continued possession for a new series of downs.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her catastrophically timed and shockingly slow run in the event she usually owns dropped her two-woman U.S. team from first down to fourth place and straight off the podium.

From The Wall Street Journal

New England’s first three possessions of the half all ended without a first down.

From The Wall Street Journal

She’s focused doing what she does best: being first down the mountain at 80 miles an hour.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among his most memorable moments, Walker defied logic and evaded multiple tackles to earn a first down from 3rd-and-17 in a key game against San Francisco that clinched the NFC West title.

From Barron's

Of Maye's 16 runs in the play-offs, 12 have gone for a touchdown or first down - Brady had the same kind of magic in his arm to lead his team's to glory.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.