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
However, the federal shutdown forced the bureau to furlough employees as well as pause data collection and dissemination.
—
Rachel Barber, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Gray took steps to move the bureau out of Hoover’s shadow.
—Douglas M. Charles, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Thompson's 2005 death in his Colorado home was originally ruled a suicide, but CBI officials said the bureau is conducting a case review into his death at the request of his widow, Anita Thompson.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
The weekend will include food, beverage and fudge specials from a variety of participating bars, restaurants and fudge shops on Mackinac Island, the tourism bureau said.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Rachel Barber, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Gray took steps to move the bureau out of Hoover’s shadow.
—Douglas M. Charles, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Thompson's 2005 death in his Colorado home was originally ruled a suicide, but CBI officials said the bureau is conducting a case review into his death at the request of his widow, Anita Thompson.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
The weekend will include food, beverage and fudge specials from a variety of participating bars, restaurants and fudge shops on Mackinac Island, the tourism bureau said.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 1 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 9 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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