noun
headquarters
hehd-KAW-tuhz
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."
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
Word Forms
headquarters plural
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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.