Words / B2

BY-oorr-oh/ˈbjʊərəʊ/

A bureau is an office that provides a service: a citizens advice bureau; a weather bureau. Office is everyday; agency is close. In some countries it is a government department. The bureau logged hundreds of debt queries. Do not mix with burro (a donkey).

Meaning

An office that provides a service (a citizens advice bureau); also a government department in some countries.

Examples

• “The bureau logged 400 debt queries in a single week.”
• “A press bureau issued the correction, which is the communications office sense.”

Good to know

an advice / press / weather bureau. Everyday: office. Close: agency. French plural often bureaux. Mix-up: burro. UK: Citizens Advice as a bureau historically.

Near in meaning

agency

New