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

Shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup, CIA agents Chris and Lee set out to Easter Island from Santiago, where they are stationed alongside their boss and bureau chief, MJ. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

He was identified by the coroner’s bureau Wednesday as Sondre Lewis, 43. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Gutman was named in a lawsuit filed by Samira Said, who worked as a field producer for ABC News in its Los Angeles bureau from May 2021 until March 2025. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Gutman, 48, is listed as a defendant, along with ABC, Disney and ABC News bureau chief David Herndon. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 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