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 D.C. and New York bureaus
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
Sheriff’s major crimes bureau detectives arrested Guidry on Tuesday.
—
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
In the film, a former photo editor at the Associated Press Saigon bureau reveals a secret he’s been haunted by for 52 years, setting off a gripping two-year investigation into the truth behind perhaps the Vietnam War’s most iconic photograph.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Presidential addresses often begin with the White House press secretary or communications director contacting networks’ Washington bureau chiefs, asking for a specific amount of time and offering a general description of the topic.
—Bill Barrow, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
After about eight years at the helm, the CEO and president of Cincinnati’s convention and visitor’s bureau is stepping down.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
In the film, a former photo editor at the Associated Press Saigon bureau reveals a secret he’s been haunted by for 52 years, setting off a gripping two-year investigation into the truth behind perhaps the Vietnam War’s most iconic photograph.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Presidential addresses often begin with the White House press secretary or communications director contacting networks’ Washington bureau chiefs, asking for a specific amount of time and offering a general description of the topic.
—Bill Barrow, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
After about eight years at the helm, the CEO and president of Cincinnati’s convention and visitor’s bureau is stepping down.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Dec. 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 25 Dec. 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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