fourth down

noun

The fourth down in a series that has a maximum of four downs; often used to punt the ball downfield or attempt a field goal (If not punted or converted, the opposing team takes possession wherever the ball is).

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Meanings

nounfourth down (plural fourth downs)

plural fourth downs

  1. American footballThe fourth down in a series that has a maximum of four downs; often used to punt the ball downfield or attempt a field goal (If not punted or converted, the opposing team takes possession wherever the ball is).

    Mahomes converted key fourth downs with his legs and looked to Kelce throughout the second half and overtime – the tight end finished with nine receptions and 93 yards after just one catch in the opening half.

    2024 February 12, Ben Morse and Steve Almasy, “Kansas City Chiefs defeat San Francisco 49ers in OT in Super Bowl LVIII, become first back-to-back NFL champions in 19 years”, in CNN.com
Cite this entry
APA

fourth down. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fourth%20down

MLA

“fourth down.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fourth%20down. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fourth down,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fourth%20down.

Source: fourth down on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.