one of two long, low ranges of grassy hills (known as North Downs and
South Downs) located in southeast
England. The North Downs extend about 100 miles (161 km) from
west to east, crossing the counties of Hampshire, Surrey and
Kent. They end at the cliffs on the coastline of the
Strait of
Dover. The
word downs is used in
reference to an
open expanse of grassy hills (especially in southern
England) which are used mainly as grazing land for sheep.