Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913 Lieu Lieu (lū), n. [F., OF. also liu, leu, lou, fr. L. locus place. See Local, Locus.] Place; room; stead; — used only in the phrase in lieu of, that is, instead of. The plan of extortion had been adopted in lieu of the scheme of confiscation. Burke. ‹ Lierne rib Lieutenancy ›