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.

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