bureau
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a government department or a large administrative office.
an administrative unit of government or a specialized agency within a larger organization.
Simple“The Federal Bureau of Investigation is responsible for many high-level cases.”
In context“The national census is managed by a dedicated bureau that operates independently of the central statistical office.”
UsageOften used in the titles of specific government agencies.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
an office or organization that collects and provides specific information.
an organization or office established for the purpose of collecting or distributing news or information.
Simple“We visited the local tourist bureau to get a map of the city.”
In context“The news agency maintains a bureau in every major capital to ensure rapid reporting on international events.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a desk with a top that folds down for writing and drawers for storing papers.
a writing desk with a hinged lid that opens to provide a writing surface, typically featuring small compartments for stationery.
Simple“He kept all his old letters in the top drawer of his mahogany bureau.”
In context“The antique bureau featured intricate wood carvings and a secret compartment hidden behind the inkwell shelf.”
UsageIn British English, this specifically refers to a desk; in American English, this usage is rare.
Synonymsdesksecretaire - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a piece of furniture with drawers used for keeping clothes.
a chest of drawers used primarily for the storage of clothing.
Simple“She put her clean socks away in the top drawer of the bureau.”
In context“The bedroom set included a matching bed frame and a tall bureau with polished brass handles.”
UsageCommon in the Northeastern United States; British speakers would call this a 'chest of drawers'.
Synonymsdresserchest of drawers
Usage census bureau
“Forecasters at the National Weather Service expected Southern California would experience its "hottest week of summer so far", the bureau said in a recent statement.”
“Nearly 270,000 Israelis have left the country over the past three years, the Tel Aviv University study found, drawing on Central Bureau of Statistics data.”
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.