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
That could complicate any new efforts by the bureau to request access to state records for completing the 2030 census.
—
Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 4 June 2025
The report alleges that his gutting of the bureau was partially due to the possible regulation of his X Money.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2025
Ruth Maclean is the West Africa bureau chief for The Times, covering 25 countries including Nigeria, Congo, the countries in the Sahel region as well as Central Africa.
—Nariman El-Mofty Nariman El-Mofty, New York Times, 2 June 2025
The man was identified by the coroner’s bureau Friday as Markus Colding, 41.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 4 June 2025
The report alleges that his gutting of the bureau was partially due to the possible regulation of his X Money.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2025
Ruth Maclean is the West Africa bureau chief for The Times, covering 25 countries including Nigeria, Congo, the countries in the Sahel region as well as Central Africa.
—Nariman El-Mofty Nariman El-Mofty, New York Times, 2 June 2025
The man was identified by the coroner’s bureau Friday as Markus Colding, 41.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 30 May 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 7 Jun. 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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