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

Fox News Washington bureau chief Bryan Boughton, acting chair of the television pool consortium, wrote that the five networks that typically share those duties — ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC — would cease coverage until the ban was lifted. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

While some may approve without reviewing your FICO credit score at all, others will perform a soft credit check or use an alternate credit bureau like Clarity Services. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

An engineering bureau in Nizhny Novgorod designs the systems and supplies the core hardware. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Lakjaa, 56, who also oversees Morocco’s budget, is a member of the party’s political bureau but not its top official. — ABC News, 25 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