bureau
noun
bu·reau
ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ō 
ˈbyər-
plural bureaus also bureaux
ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ōz
ˈbyər-
1
a
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
Since its creation, the bureau has become a lightning rod for conservatives, with Republican lawmakers long seeking to end its funding and restrict its authority.
—
Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
The House Oversight Committee had been seeking his testimony into the bureau’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, but that request has now been withdrawn.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
The bureau warned that these hoaxes not only waste law enforcement time and resources but also endanger lives.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In preparing the report, Whetstone spoke with 36 detectives from the patrol bureau, also known as general services detectives, who investigate a variety of crimes, from non-violent burglaries to violent felonies.
—Monroe Trombly, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
The House Oversight Committee had been seeking his testimony into the bureau’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, but that request has now been withdrawn.
—Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025
The bureau warned that these hoaxes not only waste law enforcement time and resources but also endanger lives.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In preparing the report, Whetstone spoke with 36 detectives from the patrol bureau, also known as general services detectives, who investigate a variety of crimes, from non-violent burglaries to violent felonies.
—Monroe Trombly, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
Cite this Entry
“Bureau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureau. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bureau
noun
bu·reau
ˈbyu̇(ə)r-ō
plural bureaus also bureaux
-ōz
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
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