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

In a statement, historic preservation group Historic KC said the building once served as the headquarters of the Western Newspaper Union, whose services supplied thousands of weekly newspapers through the country in the early 1900s. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026

Cappponi, who spoke to the Herald before a press conference at Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) headquarters in Doral on Friday, just spent 18 days in the South American country. — Ana Claudia Chacin, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

Fars listed the ports as including Jebel Ali, a huge container port in the United Arab Emirates, and Mina Salman in Bahrain, home to the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

The next launch attempt from SpaceX's Starbase headquarters in South Texas could happen early next week. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 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