headquarters

American  

[hed-kwawr-terz, -kwaw-] / ˈhɛdˌkwɔr tərz, -ˌkwɔ- /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

PLURAL

headquarters

1. a center of operations, as of the police or a business, from which orders are issued; the chief administrative office of an organization.

   The operatives were always in touch with headquarters.

2. the offices or working location of a military commander; the place from which a commander customarily issues orders.

3. a military unit consisting of the commander, his staff, and other assistants.

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headquarters British  

/ ˌhɛdˈkwɔːtəz /

plural noun

1. any centre or building from which operations are directed, as in the military, the police, etc

2. a military formation comprising the commander, his staff, and supporting echelons

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Other Word Forms

• subheadquarters nounsubheadquarters

Etymology

Origin of headquarters

First recorded in 1640–50; head + quarters

Example Sentences

His death has sent shockwaves across the nation, with supporters gathering at the party headquarters in Douala to grieve.

From BBC

“This is just fun, right?” said Zuzanna Stamirowska, co-founder and chief executive officer at Pathway, when I met with her and another member of the team at Wall Street Journal headquarters in November.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We just don’t just sit and cry looking at the churches and at the glory of the past,” said Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis, a Greek Orthodox bishop, speaking at the patriarchate’s Istanbul headquarters.

From The Wall Street Journal

BBC Scotland headquarters in Glasgow has been evacuated after a fire broke out.

From BBC

The Saturday morning ceremony was held outside government headquarters, and saw city leader John Lee joined by other Hong Kong officials to observe three minutes of silence.

From BBC

Related Words

• command post
• main office
• nerve center