bureaucracy
Bureaucracy (noun) means a system of government or organization run through many layered offices and officials following fixed rules. Example: “The country's bureaucracy has thousands of civil servants.”
How to Use Bureaucracy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe layers of offices and rules that run large organizations — often used to complain about excessive paperwork.
Word Forms
bureaucracies plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The country's _____ has thousands of civil servants.
Etymology
Coined in French from "bureau" ("office") plus "-cratie" ("rule of"), by the 18th-century economist Vincent de Gournay.
Rhymes for bureaucracy
See all rhymes for bureaucracy →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “bureaucracy” mean?
The word “bureaucracy” means a system of government or organization run through many layered offices and officials following fixed rules. In plain terms, the layers of offices and rules that run large organizations — often used to complain about excessive paperwork.
How do you pronounce “bureaucracy”?
“Bureaucracy” is pronounced byoor-ROK-ruh-see (/bjʊˈɹɑ.kɹə.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “bureaucracy” in a sentence?
Here is “bureaucracy” used in a sentence: “The country's bureaucracy has thousands of civil servants.”
What part of speech is “bureaucracy”?
“Bureaucracy” is a noun.
Where does the word “bureaucracy” come from?
The word “bureaucracy” dates back to around 1700 and comes from French. Coined in French from "bureau" ("office") plus "-cratie" ("rule of"), by the 18th-century economist Vincent de Gournay.
Is “bureaucracy” a common word?
“Bureaucracy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bureaucracy” have?
“Bureaucracy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a system of government or organization run through many layered offices and officials following fixed rules.
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