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

As was the case when the U.S. Justice Department brought its case in 2023, Google rejected the Canadian bureau’s charges. —Ian Austen, New York Times, 29 Nov. 2024

With such Thanksgiving staples as turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie mix cheaper this year, the bureau’s total market basket cost is 5%, or about $2.90, less than last year. —Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024

Eduardo Valdivia, 40, has been suspended from the FBI pending a police investigation, a spokesperson for the bureau’s Washington field office told CNN. —Kia Fatahi, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024

Politico's California bureau chief, Christopher Cadelago, reported that Harris' campaign ended with $20 million in debt, though the campaign hasn't independently verified or confirmed that figure. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024

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