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

Anwar said Saint Francis Hospital is dependent on the headquarters in Michigan to aid them with resources and support. —Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026

Gillette is making a $1 billion investment in a new Boston headquarters. —Neal Riley, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

People walk near a sign outside of Google headquarters in Mountain View, California. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC is adding more than 120 jobs to its headquarters in far north Fort Worth by this summer, the company announced Tuesday. —Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 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