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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of Downing Street

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Downing Street

It says Burnham's proposal could "lock out private firms", while a Downing Street source tells the paper that "no decision" has been taken.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

While prime ministerial resignations are often intense affairs, there is actually a lot of waiting around as the world’s press gathers in Downing Street.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

The applause duly began before the famous door opened, so the first sight and sound to greet Andy Burnham and his wife were crowds of clapping staff, crammed into the Downing Street hall.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

The size of a tablet computer and attached to drones, the military-grade jammers can hinder Russian air defence systems from tracking and targeting such weapons in-flight, Downing Street said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 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