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

Example Sentences

the Federal Bureau of Investigation The book is on top of my bureau.
Recent Examples on the Web The city’s finance bureau said in a Friday statement published by the official Changjiang Daily newspaper that a total of 259 companies and entities owed it more than 100 million yuan ($14 million) combined. Laura He, CNN, 29 May 2023 On an individual level, credit ratings are scored on a numerical scale by credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 26 May 2023 Advertisement Cecilia Sánchez Vidal in The Times’ Mexico City bureau contributed to this report. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2023 City officials plan to meet with Census Bureau officials in the near future to get a more detailed explanation of how bureau officials reached their decision. Mike Schneider, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2023 There are bigger, pressing issues the detective bureau needs to be involved in. David K. Li, NBC News, 5 May 2023 Follow us on Facebook!Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False The video shows Hawley questioning Wray about the bureau's investigation of then-President Donald Trump. USA TODAY, 4 May 2023 With nearly two months to go before fiscal year 2023 ends, the bureau is well on its way to surpassing last year’s total overtime tab by hundreds of thousands of dollars. BostonGlobe.com, 3 May 2023 The bureau said the bank’s bad behavior impacted more than 16 million customers. Arcelia Martin, Dallas News, 27 Apr. 2023 See More

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 5 Jun. 2023.

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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