bureau

noun

bu·​reau ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ō 

ˈbyər-

plural bureaus also bureaux ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ōz 

ˈbyər-

1

a

British : writing desk

especially : one having drawers and a slant top

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

Synonyms

• agency
• arm
• branch
• department
• desk
• division
• office
• service

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 law enforcement action followed a bureau investigation triggered by naval operatives' report on a group of Chinese citizens suspected of conducting surveillance under the guise of developing an autonomous vehicle. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also responding, its Nashville bureau said. —Remy Tumin, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025

But per Bloomberg on Thursday, the bureau has now reportedly warned agents that some of its own call logs stolen from AT&T during the attacks may be able to identify sources and perhaps even informants. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

Consumers can ask that a statement of their dispute be included in their file and in future credit reports, and also ask the credit bureau to provide their statement to anyone who received a copy of their report in the recent past, Wu said. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, desk, cloth covering for desks, from Old French burel woolen cloth, from Old French *bure, from Late Latin burra shaggy cloth

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bureau

• weather bureau

Kids 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