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

Education officials visited the company’s headquarters to see how the product worked and found that bullets did not penetrate the glass. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

In the first years of the war, Ukraine targeted Russia’s naval headquarters in Sevastopol, drove its warships from Crimean ports and turned the peninsula’s waters into a hunting ground. — Marc Santora, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Kuaishou headquarters is pictured on November 5, 2020, in Beijing, China. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 3 July 2026

His foundation has funded over 250,000 swimming lessons for children and opened two swimming schools — one of them across the street from his company's headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut. — ABC News, 4 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