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Webster 1913 Edition


Bureaucracy

Bu-reau′cra-cy

,
Noun.
[
Bureau
+ Gr. [GREEK] to be strong, to govern, [GREEK] strength: cf. F.
bureaucratie
.]
1.
A system of carrying on the business of government by means of departments or bureaus, each under the control of a chief, in contradiction to a system in which the officers of government have an associated authority and responsibility; also, government conducted on this system.

Definition 2024


bureaucracy

bureaucracy

English

Alternative forms

Noun

bureaucracy (plural bureaucracies)

  1. Government by bureaus or their administrators or officers.
  2. (business, organizational theory) A system of administration based upon organisation into bureaus, division of labour, a hierarchy of authority, etc., designed to dispose of a large body of work in a routine manner.
  3. The body of officers and administrators, especially of a government.
  4. Any administration characterised by excessive red tape and routine.

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