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

• 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

Some of the larger projects included in the 2019 bond are the creation of the Ramble and its parking deck, improvements to multiple community parks, the new police headquarters building and a number of drainage improvements across the city. —Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2025

The actual clock has recently been installed at its Horseferry House headquarters in Westminster. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025

The winner has since visited Lottery headquarters to claim his prize of $564,219. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

Criminal charges were filed today against a local man accused of making multiple online threats targeting TikTok‘s Culver City headquarters. —Tom Tapp, Deadline, 7 Oct. 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