lieu

American  

[loo] / lu /

noun

1. place; stead.

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idioms

1. in lieu of, in place of; instead of.

   He gave us an IOU in lieu of cash.

lieu British  

/ ljuː, luː /

noun

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

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lieu More Idioms  

1. see under instead of.

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Etymology

Origin of lieu

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Middle French, from Latin locus “place”; replacing Middle English liue, from Old French liu, from Latin; see locus

Explanation

To be in lieu of something is to replace it or substitute for it. A restaurant that's run out of clams might serve French onion soup in lieu of chowder. The word lieu originally comes from the Latin locus, meaning "place," and its meaning has stayed true to its origins ever since. Though it does have a standalone definition, "the position or function formerly held by another," this noun is most commonly encountered in the phrase "in lieu of," which means, basically, "instead of."

Example Sentences

Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Ted Lieu announced Thursday that officials in Rancho Palos Verdes are set to receive almost $2.3 million for two landslide mitigation projects.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

The cloud company agrees to pay upward of $650 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes over 20 years as well as a community benefits plan for Independence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

During discussion of the Epstein files, California Democratic Representative Ted Lieu mentioned Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is facing growing pressure from officials and the family of his prominent accuser Virginia Giuffre to testify in the US.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

It’s important to taste the soy sauce first and familiarize yourself with its flavor and salt content before using it when baking, Lieu advises.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2025

Let 'em rest there, And chew upon their miseries: but look first— Lieu.

From Beaumont & Fletcher's Works (2 of 10) - the Humourous Lieutenant by Beaumont, Francis