How to pronounce headquarters
Say it like HED-kwor-terz. Headquarters has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce headquarters. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HED
- kwor
- terz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Headquarters pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- kworGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- terzKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of headquarters
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: hed-KWAW-tuz.
What does headquarters mean?
- (usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise“many companies have their headquarters in New York”
- the military installation from which a commander performs the functions of command“the general's headquarters were a couple of large tents”
- (plural) a military unit consisting of a commander and the headquarters staff
Where does headquarters come from?
From head + quarters.
Questions about saying headquarters
How do you pronounce headquarters?
Say HED-kwor-terz. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛdˌkwɔrtɚz/. In British English it is /ˌhɛdˈkwɔːtəz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in headquarters?
Headquarters has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HED). Broken into parts: HED · kwor · terz.
Is headquarters pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /ˌhɛdˈkwɔːtəz/ (hed-KWAW-tuz).