1. (n.) A system of government by means of departments or bureaus often associated with excessive costs and procedures\, 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.

2. (n.) Government officials, collectively.

administration authorities beadledom beat beaten path bumbledom bureaucratism chinoiserie daily grind directorate government grind groove hierarchy higher echelons higher-ups jog trot management ministry official jargon officialdom officialism prelacy red tape red-tapeism red-tapery round routine ruling class ruling classes run rut squirrel cage the Establishment the administration the authorities the ingroup the interests the people upstairs the power elite the power structure the top them they top brass track treadmill well-worn groove