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

When they emerged, Downing Street stressed that sovereignty over the islands was solely a matter for the people living there.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Sir Philip said no-one in Downing Street consulted him before making the decision to appoint Lord Mandelson when he was the top civil servant in the Foreign Office in 2024.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

He added that Downing Street wanted the process completed "quickly" so Lord Mandelson was in post by the time of Trump's inauguration.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

In response, U.S. government officials relayed messages to Downing Street that any cancellation would be extremely badly received by Trump, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 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