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
Bryan Little, the bureau’s senior director of policy advocacy, said the group has long pressed for immigration reform to deal with long-running labor shortages.
—
Amy Taxin, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
If something seems off, contact the credit bureau right away to dispute it.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Bitdefender and Norton both track all three bureaus at the top tier, but just one at the next-lower tier.
—PC Magazine, 7 June 2025
In late May, Manila released video showing a Chinese coast guard ship using a water cannon against a Philippine fisheries bureau vessel.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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show current usage.
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Amy Taxin, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
If something seems off, contact the credit bureau right away to dispute it.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Bitdefender and Norton both track all three bureaus at the top tier, but just one at the next-lower tier.
—PC Magazine, 7 June 2025
In late May, Manila released video showing a Chinese coast guard ship using a water cannon against a Philippine fisheries bureau vessel.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 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 29 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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