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
Burns will continue to serve as Politico’s White House bureau chief and Playbook’s chief correspondent, and as host of the weekly Politico podcast, The Conversation.
—
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 July 2025
But the tariff furor is boosting domestic support for Lula, The Economist’s Brazil bureau chief said.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 30 July 2025
To date, the laboratory has received about 3,345 avian influenza samples for testing, according to Dan Salmi, the laboratory bureau chief.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2025
His government has established a bureau to find willing third countries to take Palestinians from Gaza.
—Zaha Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 July 2025
But the tariff furor is boosting domestic support for Lula, The Economist’s Brazil bureau chief said.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 30 July 2025
To date, the laboratory has received about 3,345 avian influenza samples for testing, according to Dan Salmi, the laboratory bureau chief.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2025
His government has established a bureau to find willing third countries to take Palestinians from Gaza.
—Zaha Hassan, Foreign Affairs, 29 July 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 6 Aug. 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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