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

The orders follow weeks of speculation about whether the 82nd Airborne Division would join the war, after its headquarters unit abruptly pulled out of a training exercise this month. —Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2026

In the week leading up to the free concert, sales of BTS merchandise - from glow sticks to blankets to dolls - rose 430% from a week earlier at Shinsegae Duty Free's headquarters in Myeongdong. —Cynthia Kim, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026

The deployment is set to include both a headquarters unit and ground combat forces. —Steven Beynon, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

The order from Xerox headquarters to demonstrate its technology to Apple divided PARC staff. —Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 24 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