bureau

plural bureaus · plural bureaux

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.

   2018, VOA Learning English > China's Melting Glacier Brings Visitors, Adds to Climate Concerns

   Synonyms: bu, bu.

2. 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

   1 more example

   Newt Gingrich gives powerful testimony to the appeal of “the last word in content providership” — speakers’ bureaus.

   2012 May 5, Henry Alford, “Future TED Talks”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 09 May 2012

3. An office (room where clerical or professional duties are performed).

   Nick opened the bureau door and told Joan he was going to find Susan. He walked to the cafeteria, but it was empty. He went back to the bureau, and asked Joan to check the restrooms.

   2015, Dan Riker, The Blue Girl Murders, page 287

   2 more examples

   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.

   2015, Victoria Delderfield, Secret Mother

   Both my ability to comprehend what is being said [in French] and my ability to fake comprehension have improved expeditiously. Monsieur holds the door open for me as we step inside his bureau. No one looks up as we enter. He offers me a seat, and when I fail to take it he returns to my side of the desk [...].

   2010, Ellie Nielsen, Buying a Piece of Paris: A Memoir, page 17

4. UKA 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.
5. NortheasternUSA chest of drawers for clothes.

1. A surname from French.