'downtown' originates from American English, specifically the word 'down' combined with 'town', where 'down' meant 'toward a lower place' and 'town' referred to a populated area.

'downtown' changed from the American English phrase 'down town' and eventually became the modern English word 'downtown'.

Initially, it meant 'toward the town center', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'central business district'.