bureau
noun
bu·reau
ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ō 
ˈbyər-
plural bureaus also bureaux
ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ōz
ˈbyər-
1
a
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 bureau
c
: a usually commercial agency that serves as an intermediary especially for exchanging information or coordinating activities
credit bureau
the local visitor's bureau
Examples of bureau in a Sentence
the Federal Bureau of Investigation
The book is on top of my bureau.
Recent Examples on the Web
One of them also said his father works for China's public security bureau, raising questions about whether the students had been tasked with collecting intelligence on their government's behalf.
—
Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
The news agency noted the search for survivors had ended and the fire had been extinguished, citing the provincial radio and television bureau.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
The majority of the population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, according to the country’s statistics bureau.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2025
Herman's ascent in Washington began as head of the Labor Department women's bureau in the Carter administration in the 1970s, followed by high-level roles with the Democratic National Committee and Clinton's transition team after his election victory in 1992.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
The news agency noted the search for survivors had ended and the fire had been extinguished, citing the provincial radio and television bureau.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
The majority of the population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, according to the country’s statistics bureau.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2025
Herman's ascent in Washington began as head of the Labor Department women's bureau in the Carter administration in the 1970s, followed by high-level roles with the Democratic National Committee and Clinton's transition team after his election victory in 1992.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
Cite this Entry
“Bureau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureau. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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