plural bureaus also British bureaux
ˈbjuɚoʊz 
1
a
: a government department or part of a government department in the U.S.
the Federal Bureau of Investigation
the Census Bureau
b
: an office of a newspaper, magazine, etc., that is not the main office but is in an important city
the newspaper's Washington/Moscow bureau
c
: an office or organization that provides services or information to the public
a credit/travel bureau
the local visitors' bureau
2
a
US
: a piece of furniture with several drawers in which clothes are kept : chest of drawers
The book is on top of my bureau.
b
British
: writing desk
Cite this Entry
“Bureau.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/bureau. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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