headquarters Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
    central office; main office; home office; home base.
    • many companies have their headquarters in New York
  2. noun the military installation from which a commander performs the functions of command
    military headquarters; HQ.
    • the general's headquarters were a couple of large tents
  3. noun (plural) a military unit consisting of a commander and the headquarters staff
  4. verb provide with headquarters
    headquarter.
    • the compnay is headquartered in New Jersey

WordNet

Head"quar`ters noun plural
Etymology
but sometimes used as a n. sing.
Definitions
  1. The quarters or place of residence of any chief officer, as the general in command of an army, or the head of a police force; the place from which orders or instructions are issued; hence, the center of authority or order.
    The brain, which is the headquarters, or office, of intelligence. Collier.

Webster 1913