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 of headquarters

• seat
• center

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

Patron saints of emergency responders, these religious figures were supposed to be unveiled at the police and fire headquarters. — Tara Sonenshine, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2026

Pfizer had its headquarters there for decades before, finally, looking for fresh office space. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 11 July 2026

More than a month after bedbugs were discovered in the California Department of Education headquarters, leadership has pledged to treat the entire building to exterminate the insects. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

When two steel columns buckled this week inside the former Pfizer headquarters in midtown Manhattan, the scare prompted evacuations and halted work on one of the nation’s largest office-to-apartment conversions. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

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