downtown
Americanadverb
adjective
noun
noun
adverb
adjective
Other Word Forms
- downtowner noun
Etymology
Origin of downtown
Explanation
Downtown is the area of a city that's the busiest, with the most shops, restaurants, buildings, and pedestrians. You can usually take a bus, train, or subway to get around downtown. The widespread use of downtown probably started in New York City during the early 19th century. The original city hub was located at the southern tip of Manhattan, and as development proceeded northward, New Yorkers began to distinguish between downtown and uptown. In many cities today, downtown doesn't refer to the southern area of the city, just its heart or center.
Vocabulary lists containing downtown
Spelling Practice 1, Unit 7
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"Ballad of Birmingham" by Dudley Randall
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
About 10 miles from downtown, the roughly 6,800-square-foot home has views of the cityscape, Dry Creek and the mountains around Bogus Basin, according to Eberle.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
Hal Bastian, who helped build the downtown renaissance, lays out a recovery plan.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026
They borrowed money and leased an old greasy-spoon diner downtown with two months to renovate before rent was due.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Nichols captured the changed perspective in remarks at a March 18 downtown rally attended by members of all three unions.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
While Picasso was on his way downtown, Apollinaire sat in a small holding cell at the Palais de Justice.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
