bureau

noun

bu·​reau ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ō 

ˈbyər-

plural bureaus also bureaux ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ōz 

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 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

Synonyms of bureau

• agency
• department
• office
• desk

Examples of bureau in a Sentence

the Federal Bureau of Investigation

The book is on top of my bureau.

Recent Examples on the Web

Next week, Jason speaks with 2025 Pulitzer Prize winner and Washington Post White House bureau chief Isaac Arnsdorf, about the blue tsunami in the 2026 midterms. — Press Freedom Desk, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026

In the movie, viewers see the regal structure, still intact, glimpsed through the office window of cranky CIA bureau chief MJ (Steve Buscemi), a key player in orchestrating the chaos. — Lale Arikoglu, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

Related Stories The film stars John Malkovich as Chris and Sam Rockwell as Lee, who play CIA agents dispatched from Santiago to Easter Island by their bureau chief, MJ (Steve Buscemi). — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

The bureau adjusted numbers for August and September, adding 84,000 jobs to the figures previously reported. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026

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

Phrases Containing bureau

• weather bureau

Rhymes for bureau

• bureaux
• chiaroscuro
• politburo

Kids 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