- any centre or building from which operations are directed, as in the military, the police, etc
- a military formation comprising the commander, his or her staff, and supporting echelons
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
head•quar•ters /ˈhɛdˌkwɔrtɚz/USA pronunciation
n. [countable], pl. head•quar•ters.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- a center of operations, as of a military commander or a business:Their headquarters is in New York City.
head•quar•ter /ˈhɛdˌkwɔrtɚ/USA pronunciation v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to set up in headquarters: [no object]The army headquartered in that small town before the invasion.[~ + object]The agency is headquartered in Fort Meade.
head•quar•ters
(hed′kwôr′tərz, -kwô′-),USA pronunciation n., pl. -ters. (used with a sing. or pl. v.)
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- 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. - Militarythe offices or working location of a military commander;
the place from which a commander customarily issues orders. - Militarya military unit consisting of the commander, his staff, and other assistants.
- head + quarters 1640–50
head•quar•ter
(hed′kwôr′tər, -kwô′-),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
- to situate in headquarters.
v.i.
- to establish one's headquarters.
- back formation from headquarters
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
headquarters /ˌhɛdˈkwɔːtəz/ pl n (sometimes functioning as singular)