bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-tik 

ˌbyər-

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or a bureaucrat

bureaucratic government

a bureaucratic organization

bureaucratic procedures

bureaucratically

ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌbyər-

adverb

Examples of bureaucratic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For de Belleroche, one of the organization’s greatest strengths is its ability to mobilize without the bureaucratic hurdles that often delay emergency operations. — Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

The main city of Puntarenas is home to almost 100,000 inhabitants and offers a wide range of logistical and bureaucratic services, including marinas, hotels, banks, restaurants, fuel services, and technical suppliers. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 July 2026

All of them complained about months of bureaucratic red tape, despite being told they’d be prioritized. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 23 July 2026

Money appropriated to help the IRS collect taxes already owed is routine described in terms of spending, waste, or bureaucratic excess. — Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French bureaucratique, from bureaucrate bureaucrat or bureaucratie bureaucracy + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bureaucratic

• anti-bureaucratic

Rhymes for bureaucratic

• adiabatic
• aristocratic
• asymptomatic
• axiomatic
• diagrammatic
• diaphragmatic
• electrostatic
• endolymphatic
• epigrammatic
• homeostatic
• idiomatic
• magnetostatic

Kids Definition

bureaucratic

adjective

bu·​reau·​crat·​ic ˌbyu̇r-ə-ˈkrat-ik 

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy or bureaucrat

bureaucratically

-ˈkrat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb