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

What People Are Saying U.S. Steel cautioned that without financial backing from Nippon Steel, the company may pivot production from blast furnaces to more cost-effective, non-union electric arc furnaces and relocate its headquarters from Pittsburgh. —John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025

In 1965, when Neil was 5 years old, his parents, David and Sheila, left their jobs as a business executive and a pharmacist and bought a house in East Grinstead, a mile away from what was at that time the worldwide headquarters for the Church of Scientology. —Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025

Policymakers in Brussels, the political headquarters of the E.U., are well aware of Greenland’s strategic importance. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

The surveillance video shows the pickup drive up and stop about 90 seconds in the parking lot before the driver pulls into a spot near the front walkway, where several stairs lead uphill to the headquarters building. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 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