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

Fans of those teams, sometimes by the thousands, also use base camps as headquarters. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Dec. 2025

The courthouse workshop was the headquarters of the county’s 11 toy loan centers. —Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 3 Dec. 2025

For prizes of $50,000 or more, you are required to claim in person at the Hoosier Lottery headquarters in Indianapolis. —Chris Sims, IndyStar, 3 Dec. 2025

In October, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Pentagon reporters a packet of restrictions to sign in order to retain access to the military headquarters. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 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