Learn English – When is it acceptable to say a company is headquartered

verbs

Quite often, I read a company is headquartered somewhere. When is this acceptable? To my ear, headquartering sound distinctly wrong, but http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headquarter lists it as

  • transitive verb: to place in headquarters
  • intransitive verb: to make one's headquarters

I'm not sure what "to make one's headquarters" means here.

Best Answer

To headquarter:( intr.)

  • to establish one's headquarters.

Looking at Ngram the expression the company is headquartered has been more and more common since the 60's. It refers to the fact that the company in question has established its headquarters in that place.

  • Dawn Exports was established in 2000. The company is headquartered in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The company manufactures and supplies horticultural products and bio- diesel. (2008)

  • Companies are also encouraged to promptly distribute their releases to Associated Press and United Press International as well as to newspapers in New York City and in cities where the company is headquartered or has plants or other ...(2007)

  • The company is headquartered in Toronto. John Cruickshank, former vice-president and creative director at Case Associates in Toronto...(1978)

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