bureaucracy
byoor-ROK-ruh-see
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.”
noun
1
A system of government or organization run through many layered offices and officials following fixed rules.
"The country's bureaucracy has thousands of civil servants."
"The city's bureaucracy employs many officials who each handle a small part of the work."
"Working in a large bureaucracy often means reporting to several different managers."
2
Excessive rigid procedure and red tape in any organization.
"Getting a simple permit took months because of the bureaucracy involved."
"The head of the civil service promised to clamp down on bureaucracy."
"Too much bureaucracy slows down the charity's efforts to help local families."
"She was tired of the endless bureaucracy of filling in forms for every small request."
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.
Common pairings
government bureaucracy
cut through the bureaucracy
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Word forms
- Plural
- bureaucracies
Fill the gap
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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.
Class of 1700
bureaucracy joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
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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.
What is the difference between bureaucracy and red tape?
Bureaucracy refers to a system of government or organization run through many layered offices and officials following fixed rules, while "red tape" specifically describes the excessive rigid procedures produced within that system. Red tape is essentially the negative byproduct of bureaucracy in action.
Is "bureaucracy" always a negative word?
Not necessarily — bureaucracy can neutrally describe any organized system of offices and officials, though it's frequently used negatively to mean excessive rigid procedure and red tape in an organization.
What is the difference between "bureaucracy" and "bureaucrat"?
Bureaucracy is the system or structure of layered offices and rules, while a bureaucrat is an individual official who works within that system.
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