headquarters

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

noun, plural head·quar·ters. (used with a singular or plural verb)

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.
the offices or working location of a military commander; the place from which a commander customarily issues orders.
a military unit consisting of the commander, his staff, and other assistants.

Origin of headquarters

First recorded in 1640–50; head + quarters

OTHER WORDS FROM headquarters

sub·head·quar·ters, noun, plural sub·head·quar·ters.

Words nearby headquarters

Definition for headquarters (2 of 2)

headquarter
[ hed-kwawr-ter, -kwaw- ]
/ ˈhɛdˌkwɔr tər, -ˌkwɔ- /

verb (used with object)

to situate in headquarters.

verb (used without object)

to establish one's headquarters.

Origin of headquarter

back formation from headquarters

Example sentences from the Web for headquarters

British Dictionary definitions for headquarters (1 of 2)

headquarters
/ (ˌhɛdˈkwɔːtəz) /

pl n (sometimes functioning as singular)

any centre or building from which operations are directed, as in the military, the police, etc
a military formation comprising the commander, his staff, and supporting echelons
Abbreviations: HQ, h.q.

British Dictionary definitions for headquarters (2 of 2)

headquarter
/ (ˌhɛdˈkwɔːtə) /

verb

informal, mainly US to place in or establish as headquarters