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

The bureau manages one of California’s two main water systems, including massive pumps that pull water from the Delta and send it flowing to farms and communities as far south as Bakersfield. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Among them was using a survey form, unrelated to the census, with a citizenship question that the bureau's own research shows is likely to hurt the count's accuracy. — Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

The investigation into her misconduct began in September 2023 after an intern at the bureau discovered missing information in a case that Woods handled in 2018. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

The Republic County Sheriff’s Office had requested the bureau’s help with the investigation. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 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