headquarters

[hed-kwawr-terz, -kwaw-]

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.

headquarters

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• subheadquarters noun subheadquarters

Word History and Origins

Origin of headquarters¹

First recorded in 1640–50; head + quarters

Example Sentences

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.

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While Wilson hasn’t held an official role at Lululemon in over a decade, he lives near the company’s headquarters in Vancouver, British Columbia—and stays in touch with employees.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The new headquarters will be built on Riverside South, which JP Morgan bought in 2008 - but shelved plans following that year's global financial crisis.

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"The Winter Egg is truly one of the rarest items that you can find," Margo Oganesian, of Christie's told AFP ahead of Tuesday's sale at its London headquarters.

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He took the oath on Thursday, in brief and muted proceedings in the army headquarters.

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Related Words

• command post 
• main office www.thesaurus.com
• nerve center