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

With a new headquarters at UK's Silverstone and an extensive hiring process to onboard top F1 talent, the team is on course to compete in F1 next year. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025

He’s also cut corporate roles at headquarters as part of the company’s turnaround strategy. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 14 Mar. 2025

Musk, who is spearheading the push to overhaul the federal government and align it with the vision of the president, met with the head of the NSA, Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, on Wednesday at the spy agency’s headquarters in Fort Meade, Md., per an agency spokesperson. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025

Tropical Cyclone Alfred didn't significantly impact Gilmour's launch site, but the storm did cause the company to suspend work at its corporate headquarters in Southeast Queensland. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for headquarters

• exporters
• hindquarters
• importers
• reporters
• supporters
• transporters
• mortars
• porters
• quarters
• sorters

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