downtown

[doun-toun]

adverb

1. to or in the main business section of a city.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated in the main business section of a city.

noun

1. the main business section of a city.

downtown

/ ˈdaʊnˈtaʊn /

noun

1. the central or lower part of a city, esp the main commercial area

adverb

1. towards, to, or into this area

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated in the downtown area

   downtown Manhattan

Other Word Forms

• downtowner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of downtown¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; down ¹ + town

Example Sentences

The course began and ended at Palisades Village Green, a small triangular park in the middle of the downtown area.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A downtown restaurant offers fancy steaks and apple pie to cater to American tastes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Troops were largely stationed around the city’s downtown area, upscale corridors, metro stations, and tourist hubs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They’re the doctor on the local hospital board, the businesswoman helping local education, the volunteers in the group that helps new mothers, the store owners heading the downtown revitalization effort.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Washington, Highland Park and downtown too, with many of the bars and clubs in those regions seeking to capture the old Spaceland vibes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• central 
• main 
• metropolitan 
• urban