bureau

noun

bu·​reau ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce bureau (audio)
ˈbyər-
plural bureaus also bureaux ˈbyu̇r-(ˌ)ōz How to pronounce bureau (audio)
ˈbyər-
Synonyms of bureau
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 D.C. and New York bureaus
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 of bureau

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Examples of bureau in a Sentence

the Federal Bureau of Investigation The book is on top of my bureau.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On April 8, 2025, the Herald/Times Tallahassee bureau broke the story, reporting that the DeSantis administration had steered Medicaid settlement money toward the Hope Florida Foundation. — Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026 Earlier that evening, as a black car carries us from the Fox bureau to Milano, Baier is reminiscing about his long career in Washington. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026 The nine plaintiffs represent the latest in a growing number of former FBI agents and other personnel who have filed lawsuits against the Justice Department and the bureau after they were abruptly terminated. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau, said that Oman has tried to get both sides back to the negotiating table, and Russia and China also tried via Iran. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bureau

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bureau was in 1698

Phrases Containing bureau

Rhymes for bureau

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Browse Nearby Words

bure
bureau
bureaucracy
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Cite this Entry

“Bureau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureau. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bureau

noun
bu·​reau ˈbyu̇(ə)r-ō How to pronounce bureau (audio)
plural bureaus also bureaux -ōz How to pronounce bureau (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on bureau

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bureau

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