bureau

noun

bu·​reau ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce bureau (audio)
ˈbyər-
plural bureaus also bureaux ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ōz How to pronounce bureau (audio)
ˈbyər-
1
a
British : writing desk
especially : one having drawers and a slant top
b
: a low chest of drawers for use in a bedroom
2
a
: a specialized administrative unit
especially : a subdivision of an executive department of a government
the Federal Bureau of Investigation
b
: a branch of a newspaper, newsmagazine, or wire service in an important news center
the newspaper's Washington bureau
c
: a usually commercial agency that serves as an intermediary especially for exchanging information or coordinating activities
credit bureau
the local visitor's bureau

Examples of bureau in a Sentence

the Federal Bureau of Investigation The book is on top of my bureau.
Recent Examples on the Web Rachel Chason is The Washington Post's West Africa bureau chief. Rachel Chason, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 The Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed Thursday that the homicide bureau’s investigation into the death remains ongoing. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 The bureau’s interim CEO, Tawny Tesconi, confirmed the bureau had received a subpoena but declined any additional comment. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Andrew Higgins is the East and Central Europe bureau chief for The Times based in Warsaw. Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Wray said holding law enforcement and elected accountable is a core tenant of the bureau's work. Luke Barr, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 The outcome might have been different, Stark added, if the church actually ran the bureau and its subentities. Todd Richmond, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 Household paper products and snacks are the most common items that manufacturers downsize, according to a bureau analysis that looked at changes between 2015 and 2021. Tami Luhby, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Yet just last month, the prisons bureau narrowly avoided being held in contempt of court after an inmate who testified at the hearing was transferred to Southern California, in violation of the judge’s orders — prompting accusations of prisoner retaliation. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bureau.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, desk, cloth covering for desks, from Old French burel woolen cloth, from Old French *bure, from Late Latin burra shaggy cloth

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bureau was in 1698

Dictionary Entries Near bureau

Cite this Entry

“Bureau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureau. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bureau

noun
bu·​reau ˈbyu̇(ə)r-ō How to pronounce bureau (audio)
plural bureaus also bureaux -ōz How to pronounce bureau (audio)
1
a
: a subdivision of a government department
Federal Bureau of Investigation
b
: a business office providing services for the public
a travel bureau
2
: a low chest of drawers for use in a bedroom

More from Merriam-Webster on bureau

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