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.
However, ongoing three-bureau credit monitoring may alert you to new accounts when they are reported, instead of weeks later when a lender turns you down or a collections notice arrives. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 Register fraud alerts with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, the three main credit reporting bureaus. — Brian Sloan,dan Avery, CNBC, 6 July 2026 Minnesota investigators arrived at the house where Sosa-Celis lived and began collecting evidence alongside the FBI, only to be abruptly cut off when the bureau changed its mind. — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 The officers, formerly with the Albany Police Department, were charged with misuse of license plate data and violation of oath of office in a July 6 statement from the bureau. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 8 July 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 10 Jul. 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

Nglish: Translation of bureau for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bureau

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