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
The bureau’s work has led to nearly twenty billion dollars in direct relief to consumers and five billion dollars in civil penalties for alleged wrongdoing.
—
Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
So, for the married couple, that amounts to three bureaus at $33 each for two borrowers costs $198.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
In her note to staffers, Milne noted that her father Stephen Milne, was a longtime editor in the CBS News London bureau.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Having fewer inspectors on the job has also led to fewer criminal referrals to DOJ, said a former senior bureau official who asked not to be named.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Andy Kroll, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
So, for the married couple, that amounts to three bureaus at $33 each for two borrowers costs $198.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
In her note to staffers, Milne noted that her father Stephen Milne, was a longtime editor in the CBS News London bureau.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Having fewer inspectors on the job has also led to fewer criminal referrals to DOJ, said a former senior bureau official who asked not to be named.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 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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