headquarters
hehd-KAW-tuhz
Headquarters (noun) means an organization's main office, from which its operations or leadership are run. Example: “The company moved its headquarters to a new office tower downtown.”
noun
1
An organization's main office, from which its operations or leadership are run.
"The company moved its headquarters to a new office tower downtown."
"Orders came directly from military headquarters."
"The charity's headquarters is a small building near the station."
How to use headquarters
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe main base of an organization, business, or military unit.
Common mistake
Usually takes a plural verb form but is treated as one location ("headquarters is/are downtown" both occur, though singular agreement is more common in modern usage).
Common pairings
company headquarters
move headquarters
at headquarters
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Word forms
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The company moved its _____ to a new office tower downtown.
Etymology
A compound of head and quarters, originally denoting the lodgings ("quarters") of a commanding officer.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for headquarters
See all rhymes for headquarters →Frequently asked questions
What does “headquarters” mean?
The word “headquarters” means an organization's main office, from which its operations or leadership are run. In plain terms, the main base of an organization, business, or military unit.
How do you pronounce “headquarters”?
“Headquarters” is pronounced hehd-KAW-tuhz (/ˈhɛdˌk(w)ɔɹ.tɚz/ in IPA).
How do you use “headquarters” in a sentence?
Here is “headquarters” used in a sentence: “The company moved its headquarters to a new office tower downtown.”
What is another word for “headquarters”?
Words with a similar meaning to “headquarters” include HQ, h.q. and head office.
What part of speech is “headquarters”?
“Headquarters” is a noun.
Is “headquarters” a common word?
“Headquarters” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
Is "headquarters" singular or plural?
"Headquarters" always ends in -s but can take either a singular or plural verb, so both "the headquarters is in London" and "the headquarters are in London" are acceptable. It has no separate singular form such as "headquarter."
What is the difference between headquarters and a branch office?
Headquarters is the main office from which an organisation's leadership and central operations are run, while a branch office is a smaller, local site that reports to it. An organisation has one headquarters but may have many branches.
Can "headquarters" be used as a verb?
The related verb form is usually "headquartered," as in "the company is headquartered in Berlin," meaning it has its main office there. The noun "headquarters" itself is not normally used directly as a verb.
What is the difference between "headquarters" and "head office"?
Both refer to an organisation's principal location, but "head office" is more common in British business English, while "headquarters" (often shortened to HQ) is used more broadly and can also carry a military sense.
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