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
Republican state officials in Alabama sued the bureau to try to block the new privacy protections.
—
Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 12 June 2026
Shayndi Rice was named to that role following the exit of Claire Day, a 23-year veteran of CBS News, who had served as London bureau chief for nearly a year before her departure was announced in April.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Inflation remained the top financial concern for consumers in the second quarter, rising to 50% from 47%, according to the credit bureau’s latest Consumer Pulse Survey.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
The resident who reported the sightings to the FBI in October 2024 was considered credible by the bureau.
—Natalia Mittelstadt, Baltimore Sun, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 12 June 2026
Shayndi Rice was named to that role following the exit of Claire Day, a 23-year veteran of CBS News, who had served as London bureau chief for nearly a year before her departure was announced in April.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Inflation remained the top financial concern for consumers in the second quarter, rising to 50% from 47%, according to the credit bureau’s latest Consumer Pulse Survey.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
The resident who reported the sightings to the FBI in October 2024 was considered credible by the bureau.
—Natalia Mittelstadt, Baltimore Sun, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bureau
Cite this Entry
“Bureau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureau. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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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