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-
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 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 Late last month, Pittsburgh officials, for example, announced the police department would no longer respond to lower-priority calls that the bureau says do not require an in-person response. Emma Colton, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2024 The bureau has also been closely watching relations between the United States and Venezuela. Terence McGinley, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 In an earlier contract with Visit Cincy, signed in 2012, Reece and his company agreed to create a multicultural internship program for the tourism bureau. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 What’s open? February 02, 2024 7:00 AM Assistant bureau chief (non sworn) | Permanent full-time Department: California Department of Justice Salary: $11,911 to $14,208 per month The assistant bureau chief oversees the department’s Bureau of Firearms eligibility branch. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 The next announcement from the bureau is scheduled for March 12. USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 More In: Moon Space NASA William Harwood Bill Harwood has been covering the U.S. space program full-time since 1984, first as Cape Canaveral bureau chief for United Press International and now as a consultant for CBS News. William Harwood, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2024 Web traffic to the tourism bureau's website it up 50% over the same period last year, according to VisitLex. Eric Lagatta, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 IndyStar has asked the union for comment about the new bureau. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bureau.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near bureau

Cite this Entry

“Bureau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bureau. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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

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