headquarters

/'hed'kwɔ:təz/
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Thân thiện
headquarters

The general's headquarters were a couple of large tents.

Definition
  1. Noun (plural in form, often used with plural or singular verb):
    • The main administrative center of an organization: The central office or location from which an organization, especially a military unit, business, or institution, is directed and managed.
    • The place where a commander and their staff operate: The physical location or installation from which a leader, particularly in the military or police, exercises command and control.
Usage and Examples
  • Noun:
    • The company's headquarters are located in London. (This refers to the main administrative offices of the business.)
    • The general established his headquarters in the captured city. (This refers to the central command post for military operations.)
    • Report to headquarters for your new assignment. (This uses the word to mean the central administrative office one must go to.)
Advanced Usage and Notes
  • Grammatical Number: Although "headquarters" ends in "-s," it can be treated as either singular or plural depending on context. It is often used with a plural verb when referring to the physical offices or staff, and with a singular verb when referring to the organization or location as a single entity.
    • The headquarters are issuing new guidelines. (Plural verb, focusing on the people/office issuing them.)
    • The new headquarters is a modern building. (Singular verb, focusing on the building as a single location.)
  • "At headquarters": A common prepositional phrase indicating location.
    • The decision was made at headquarters.
Variants and Related Words
  • HQ: A common abbreviation for "headquarters."
    • Send the report to HQ by noon.
  • Headquarter (verb): Less common, meaning to establish or provide with headquarters.
    • The organization headquartered itself in Geneva.
Synonyms
  • Main office: The principal office of a company.
  • Central command: The primary location for directing operations (often military/police).
  • Base of operations: A center from which activities are directed.
Related Phrases and Idioms
  • (To be) in the headquarters: To be physically present at or working from the main administrative center.
    • The CEO is in the headquarters all week for meetings.
  • Headquarters staff: The group of people who work at the headquarters.
    • The headquarters staff prepared the annual report.
headquarters

The general's headquarters were a couple of large tents.

Noun
  1. (plural) a military unit consisting of a commander and the headquarters staff
  2. the military installation from which a commander performs the functions of command
    • the general's headquarters were a couple of large tents
  3. (usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
    • many companies have their headquarters in New York