# headquarters

/ˈhɛdˌkɔɹtɝz/ (US) · /hɛdkwˈɔːtəz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/headquarters
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. main office

noun · CEFR B2

the main building or office where the leaders of a company or organization work.

For teachers: the central administrative office or place of business from which an organization is directed.

- The tech company moved its global headquarters to a new building in the city center.
- The multinational corporation decided to relocate its regional headquarters to Singapore to better manage its expanding operations in Southeast Asia.

Usage: Can be treated as either singular or plural; 'the headquarters is' and 'the headquarters are' are both acceptable.

### 2. military command

noun · CEFR B2

the place where a military commander and their staff give orders.

For teachers: the military installation or unit from which a commander exercises command and control.

- The general returned to headquarters to plan the next stage of the mission.
- Field officers were summoned to headquarters to receive classified briefings regarding the upcoming deployment across the border.

### 3. to be based in

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to have the main office or center of operations in a specific place.

For teachers: to establish or locate the headquarters of an organization in a particular place.

- The charity is headquartered in Geneva but works in over fifty countries.
- Although the startup was founded in a garage, it is now headquartered in a sprawling campus designed to foster creative collaboration.

Usage: Usually used in the passive voice ('is headquartered in').

## Examples

- The company moved its headquarters to London last year.
- After the merger, the new firm established its global headquarters in a modern skyscraper downtown.
- While regional branches handle daily operations, the strategic direction of the non-profit is determined exclusively by the executive team at the headquarters.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.