DOWNING STREET

a short street in Westminster (1), London, which contains the official London home of the British Prime Minister at Number 10. In fact, the words ‘Downing Street’ and ‘ Number Ten ’ are often used to mean the Prime Minister’s office or the British government. In the same street is the official home of the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Number 11 and the office of the Chief Whip at Number 12. The street was built in about 1680 by an MP , George Downing.