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 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
Examples of bureau in a Sentence
the Federal Bureau of Investigation
The book is on top of my bureau.
Recent Examples on the Web
Where’s the governor’s highway safety bureau?
—
Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
In January, the FBI led an active shooter training with Temple Israel's clergy and staff members, according to a post on X from the bureau's Detroit field office.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
The Baltimore County Fire Department said its EMS bureau plans to tour the new hospital March 20.
—Bryna Zumer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2026
The bureau's Collision Investigation Unit is leading the investigation into the hit-and-run crash, Pittsburgh Public Safety said.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
In January, the FBI led an active shooter training with Temple Israel's clergy and staff members, according to a post on X from the bureau's Detroit field office.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
The Baltimore County Fire Department said its EMS bureau plans to tour the new hospital March 20.
—Bryna Zumer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2026
The bureau's Collision Investigation Unit is leading the investigation into the hit-and-run crash, Pittsburgh Public Safety said.
—Mike Darnay, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bureau
Cite this Entry
“Bureau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureau. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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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