bureau
word
Definition
A bureau can mean a desk or chest of drawers, especially in older or more formal English. It can also mean an office or government department that handles a particular type of work.
Usage & Nuances
This word is less common than 'desk' or 'office' in everyday English, and its exact meaning depends a lot on context. In American English, 'bureau' often appears in government or official names like 'the Federal Bureau of Investigation', while the furniture meaning sounds somewhat old-fashioned.
Example Sentences
She keeps her letters in the top drawer of the bureau.
basic
He bought a wooden bureau for his room.
basic
You need to report that to the local bureau before they can issue the permit.
natural
He works for a government bureau, so the hiring process takes forever.
natural
The travel bureau is closed on Sundays.
basic
My grandmother still calls that old dresser a bureau.
natural