lieu

UK: /ˈluː/ US: /lu/ ,(lo̅o̅)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

lieu /lu/   n. [uncountable]

1. place;
   stead.

Idioms

2. Idioms in lieu of, instead of:
   gave us an IOU in lieu of cash.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

lieu  (lo̅o̅), n. 

1. place;
   stead.
2. Idioms in lieu of, in place of;
   instead of:
   He gave us an IOU in lieu of cash.

• Latin; see locus
• Old French liu
• Latin locus place; replacing Middle English liue
• Middle French
• 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lieu / ljuː luː/ noun

1. stead; place (esp in the phrases in lieu, in lieu of)

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French, ultimately from Latin locus place