What does "bureau" mean?
An administrative unit of government; office.
Bureau
/ˈbjʊ.ɹoʊ/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An administrative unit of government; office.
- Grammar: bureau is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: agency, chest, chest of drawers, dresser.
- Useful contrasts: private organization.
- Usage evidence: The weather bureau says it will rain tonight.
How to use "bureau"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "bureau" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "bureau" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "bureau" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "bureau" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "bureau" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "agency" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "bureau", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An administrative unit of government; office.
"Ashley Johnson is an energy, trade and economics expert at the National Bureau of Asian Research, based in the United States."
- 2 furniture with drawers for keeping clothes wordnet
- 3 An organization or office for collecting or providing information or news.
"a news bureau; a travel bureau; a service bureau; an employment bureau; the Citizens Advice Bureau"
- 4 an administrative unit of government wordnet
- 5 An office (room where clerical or professional duties are performed).
"There was an eerie silence in the dorm [... in] the factory. [...] The lamp glowed in his bureau, warm and reassuring and, through the window, I could see his papers strewn across the desk. [...] I called his name again. A movement from his bureau. [...] I banged on his door until it opened a crack[. ...] He pushed me out onto the staircase. "Get out," he screamed. The door to his bureau slammed in my face."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A desk, usually with a cover and compartments that are located above the level of the writing surface rather than underneath, and often used for storing papers. British
- 7 A chest of drawers for clothes. Northeastern, US
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname from French.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
private organization
Example
"The weather bureau says it will rain tonight."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "bureau"?
Common synonyms include: agency, chest, chest of drawers, dresser, office, ability to cause change.
How do you use "bureau" in a sentence?
The weather bureau says it will rain tonight.
How do you pronounce "bureau"?
Pronounced /ˈbjʊ.ɹoʊ/.
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French bureau, earlier "coarse cloth (as desk cover), baize", from Old French burel (“woolen cloth”), diminutive of *bure (compare Middle French bure (“coarse woolen cloth”), French bourre (“hair, fluff”)), from Late Latin burra (“wool, fluff, shaggy cloth, coarse fabric”); akin to Ancient Greek βερβέριον (berbérion, “shabby garment”). Doublet of burel and borrel, taken from Old French.