ˈbyu̇(ˌ)rō, ˈbyü- also especially when no pause follows -_rə noun
( plural bureaus also bureaux )
Etymology: French, office, desk, cloth covering for desks or tables, coarse woolen cloth, from Old French burel coarse woolen cloth, from (assumed) Old French bure coarse woolen cloth (whence Middle French bure ), from (assumed) Vulgar Latin bura, alteration of Late Latin burra shaggy cloth, probably of non-Indo-European origin; akin to the source of Greek berberion shabby garment
1.
a. Britain : a writing desk ; especially : one having drawers and a slant top — called also writing bureau
b. : a low chest of drawers with a mirror for use in a bedroom — compare chiffonier , dresser
2.
a. : a specialized administrative unit
the university testing bureau
especially : a subdivision of an executive department of a government
the Internal Revenue Bureau of the Department of the Treasury
b. : a usually commercial agency that serves as a clearinghouse or intermediary for exchanging information, making contacts, or coordinating cooperative activities
credit bureau
speakers' bureau
c. : a branch of a newspaper, newsmagazine, or wire service in an important news center
the Washington bureau of the Associated Press
3. : an executive committee or small directing body: as
a. : the small body of officers in each chamber of the French parliament that controls proceedings in its chamber
b.
[Russian byuro, from French bureau ]
: the policy-forming committee of the Communist party of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
4. or bureau print usually capitalized B : a postage stamp precanceled by the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing