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
In: Food and Drug Administration FDA Alexander Tin Alexander Tin is a digital reporter for CBS News based in the Washington, D.C. bureau.
—
Alexander Tin, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025
Many Americans are rushing to book appointments at their local motor vehicle bureaus to obtain REAL IDs as the deadline for the license is fast approaching.
—Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Politics: Petro Poroshenko, a former president who now leads an opposition party, spoke to our Kyiv bureau chief about prospects for peace talks.
—Justin Porter, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Michael Kozak, a senior bureau official in the State Department, filed a brief April 12 affirming Abrego Garcia was alive.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bureau
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Alexander Tin, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025
Many Americans are rushing to book appointments at their local motor vehicle bureaus to obtain REAL IDs as the deadline for the license is fast approaching.
—Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Politics: Petro Poroshenko, a former president who now leads an opposition party, spoke to our Kyiv bureau chief about prospects for peace talks.
—Justin Porter, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Michael Kozak, a senior bureau official in the State Department, filed a brief April 12 affirming Abrego Garcia was alive.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 13 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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