Downing Street

American  

noun

1. a street in W central London, England: cabinet office; residence of the prime minister.

2. the British prime minister and cabinet.

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Downing Street British  

/ ˈdaʊnɪŋ /

noun

1. a street in W central London, in Westminster: official residences of the British prime minister and the chancellor of the exchequer

2. informal the prime minister or the British Government

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Etymology

Origin of Downing Street

named after Sir George Downing (1623–84), English statesman

Example Sentences

The three Western powers that met at 10 Downing Street constitute the so-called E3 group and are some of Kyiv's strongest allies.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

The three Western powers represented at Downing Street - the so-called E3 group - are some of Kyiv's strongest allies.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Sir Keir also said he would not "walk away" from Downing Street despite suffering ministerial resignations, most notably from former Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron served as an adviser and lobbied for Greensill after leaving Downing Street, work that later drew scrutiny on the sometimes blurred lines between business and politics in the U.K.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

“I’m going to have to get back to Downing Street, I should have been there an hour ago,” said Kingsley finally, after a last sweeping gaze at the sky.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling