bureau Definition

bureau
noun bureaux, bureaus

(Brit)
1. A desk for writing at, with drawers and usually a front flap which opens downwards to provide the writing surface.
(N Amer, especially US)
2. A chest of drawers.
3. An office or department for business, especially for collecting and supplying information.

Thesaurus: agency, branch, department, division, office, service, board, committee, commission.
(N Amer)
4. A government or newspaper department.

Etymology: 17c: French, from burel a type of dark red cloth which was used for covering desks.