headquarters

noun

head·​quar·​ters ˈhed-ˌkwȯ(r)-tərz How to pronounce headquarters (audio)
-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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Around the time of the 2022 bond referendum, then-City Manager Bruce Moore said the thought was to build the new court facility on the site of the old police headquarters, located just a short distance away on Markham Street, once the headquarters was demolished. Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025 This represents the 250,000 honeybees housed in hives at the Rolls-Royce apiary on the grounds of the Goodwood headquarters. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025 Plan Your Trip First-time guests are encouraged to stop by Discover Denton, the visitor center and headquarters for Denton Halloween. Kristen Tribe, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025 Cupertino is named after the California city that’s home to Apple’s headquarters. Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for headquarters

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of headquarters was in 1622

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Cite this Entry

“Headquarters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headquarters. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

headquarters

singular or plural noun
head·​quar·​ters ˈhed-ˌkwȯ(r)t-ərz How to pronounce headquarters (audio)
(ˈ)hed-ˈkwȯ(r)t-ərz
1
: a place from which a commander exercises command
2
: the governing and directing center of an organization

More from Merriam-Webster on headquarters

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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