headquarters

noun

head·​quar·​ters ˈhed-ˌkwȯ(r)-tərz 

-ˌkȯr-,

(ˈ)hed-ˈkwȯ(r),

-ˈkȯr-

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: a place from which a commander performs the functions of command

2

: the administrative center of an enterprise

Synonyms

• command
• seat

Examples of headquarters in a Sentence

the headquarters of the newly established United States government was in New York City, the nation's first capital

the scout went straight to the large tent in the center of the camp, correctly assuming that it served as the division's headquarters

Recent Examples on the Web

Signage for the agency began being taken down from its headquarters at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington D.C. on Friday. —Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025

While their Kennebec Cabin Company headquarters is located in their hometown of Manchester, Maine, the group works to restore historic properties all over the state. —Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025

The real estate listings website, operated by News Corp. subsidiary Move Inc., is relocating its headquarters to Austin from Santa Clara, California. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025

The news comes just weeks after an announcement that Liberated – the retail and e-commerce operator for several of the Authentic Brands Group labels – shuttered its Costa Mesa headquarters and laid off 400 employees. —Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

headquarters

singular or plural noun

head·​quar·​ters ˈhed-ˌkwȯ(r)t-ərz 

(ˈ)hed-ˈkwȯ(r)t-ərz

1

: a place from which a commander exercises command

2

: the governing and directing center of an organization