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

In that same security compound, Kamal al-Hassan, another high-ranking former official, also raided his office headquarters. —Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

Songmont also references the topography surrounding its headquarters, including the Loess Plateau and the Yellow River that flows through it. —Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group of Kyiv’s allies at NATO headquarters, Hegseth urged countries to increase investment in weapons purchases under the new Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. —Todd Symons, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025

This was the scene inside the Silicon Valley headquarters of Figure AI on an August morning this year. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 15 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