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

• command
• seat

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

On Wednesday, at least two people died and seven others were injured after a shooting at the Moscow headquarters of Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, according to media reports. —Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

Its headquarters in Everett, Washington, was shuttered. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2024

Maryland officials also raised equity arguments during and after their bid to woo the FBI headquarters across the border from Washington. —Sophie Hills, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Sep. 2024

Stoking controversy among some in his union, O’Brien met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate and at the Teamsters’ Washington, D.C. headquarters this year and became the first Teamsters president to speak at the Republican National Convention. —Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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