B2nounpoliticswork
US/bjʊˈrɑː.krə.si/
UK/bjʊəˈrɒk.rə.si/
a system with many complicated rules and slow processes, or the officials who run such a system
In context
Small business owners complain about the bureaucracy involved in getting a simple license.
The new online system was meant to cut bureaucracy for people paying taxes.
The state bureaucracy grew enormously during the war years.
Words that go with bureaucracy
verb + noun
- cut bureaucracyThe mayor promised to cut bureaucracy for new businesses.
noun + noun
- government bureaucracyGovernment bureaucracy delayed the project by two years.
- state bureaucracyReformers tried to make the state bureaucracy smaller and faster.
noun + preposition
- layers of bureaucracyEvery request had to pass through several layers of bureaucracy.
adjective + noun
- unnecessary bureaucracyDoctors say unnecessary bureaucracy keeps them away from patients.