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
But Hamilton, who runs the department’s detective bureau, warned that such gains could be eroded if the department continues to lose officers amid the city’s ongoing fiscal crisis.
—
Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
Laid-off reporters include Brandon Smith, Statehouse bureau chief and host of Indiana Week in Review; Rebecca Thiele, energy and environment reporter; Abigail Ruhman, health reporter; and Timoria Cunningham, labor and employment reporter.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 8 July 2025
The family settled in Kenilworth, that fashionable suburb befitting his father’s position as the new chief of Time magazine’s Chicago bureau.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Sources previously told this newspaper's statehouse bureau that Husted is weighing whether to accept the appointment or pursue his original plan to run for governor in 2026.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
Laid-off reporters include Brandon Smith, Statehouse bureau chief and host of Indiana Week in Review; Rebecca Thiele, energy and environment reporter; Abigail Ruhman, health reporter; and Timoria Cunningham, labor and employment reporter.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 8 July 2025
The family settled in Kenilworth, that fashionable suburb befitting his father’s position as the new chief of Time magazine’s Chicago bureau.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
Sources previously told this newspaper's statehouse bureau that Husted is weighing whether to accept the appointment or pursue his original plan to run for governor in 2026.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 2 July 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 18 Jul. 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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