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

Bulger, who ran the largely Irish gang in Boston in the 1970s and ’80s, also informed the FBI on his gang’s main rival, according to the bureau. —John Raby, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024

The public security bureau that Gao Qiang said had detained his brother, in Hebei province’s Sanhe city, declined to comment. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 3 Sep. 2024

Alexander Tin Alexander Tin is a digital reporter for CBS News based in the Washington, D.C. bureau. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2024

If anyone has additional information or there are other allegations of a crime against Mason, Bastianelli said, people should call the detective bureau at 586-446-2825. —Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 12 Aug. 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