Bureau Meaning in English
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
The travel bureau is closed on Sundays.
basic
You need to report that to the local bureau before they can issue the permit.
natural
My grandmother still calls that old dresser a bureau.
natural
He works for a government bureau, so the hiring process takes forever.
natural