bureau
BYUU-roh
Bureau (noun) means a government department or agency, especially one handling a specific area of administration. Example: “She filed the report with the local weather bureau.”
noun
1
A government department or agency, especially one handling a specific area of administration.
"She filed the report with the local weather bureau."
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation handles major federal crimes in the US."
"The city's transport bureau publishes the new bus timetables each year."
2
A chest of drawers for storing clothes, or a writing desk with compartments.
"He kept his socks in the top drawer of the bureau."
"The antique bureau in the hallway has a drawer that sticks."
"She sat at the oak bureau to write her letters."
How to use bureau
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn office or government department, or (especially in the US) a piece of furniture for storing clothes.
UK vs US
In American English, "bureau" commonly means a chest of drawers; in British English it more often means a writing desk or government office.
Common pairings
news bureau
bureau of statistics
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Word forms
- Plural
- bureaus, bureaux
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She filed the report with the local weather _____.
Etymology
From French bureau, originally meaning the coarse woolen cloth used to cover writing desks, later coming to mean the desk itself and then the office.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bureau
See all rhymes for bureau →Frequently asked questions
What does “bureau” mean?
The word “bureau” means a government department or agency, especially one handling a specific area of administration. In plain terms, an office or government department, or (especially in the US) a piece of furniture for storing clothes.
How do you pronounce “bureau”?
“Bureau” is pronounced BYUU-roh (/ˈbjʊ.ɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bureau” in a sentence?
Here is “bureau” used in a sentence: “She filed the report with the local weather bureau.”
What part of speech is “bureau”?
“Bureau” is a noun.
Where does the word “bureau” come from?
The word “bureau” comes from French. From French bureau, originally meaning the coarse woolen cloth used to cover writing desks, later coming to mean the desk itself and then the office.
Is “bureau” a common word?
“Bureau” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bureau” have?
“Bureau” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a government department or agency, especially one handling a specific area of administration.
What is an example of a bureau?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a well-known example — a government agency handling a specific area, in this case law enforcement. Other examples include the Census Bureau, a weather bureau, or a citizens' advice bureau. Each is an organised office dedicated to one particular field of work.
What is the difference between a bureau and a department?
A department is usually the larger, top-level body, while a bureau is often a specialised unit or agency within or beneath it, focused on a particular task. A bureau may sit inside a government department, for example. In practice the two words overlap, and exact usage varies from country to country.
What is the plural of bureau?
Both "bureaus" and "bureaux" are correct. "Bureaux" keeps the original French spelling and is common in British English, while "bureaus" is the regular English plural favoured in American English. Either is acceptable; just be consistent. The word comes from French, which explains its unusual alternative plural.
Does bureau have other meanings?
Yes. Besides a government agency, "bureau" is a piece of furniture — in British English a writing desk with drawers, and in American English a chest of drawers for a bedroom. It can also mean a news office, as in a newspaper's "Washington bureau." The office sense is most common today.
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