Main Entry:

mi·lieu

Pronunciation:

\mēl-ˈyə(r), -ˈyü, -ˈyœ; ˈmēl-ˌyü\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural milieus or mi·lieux \-ˈyə(r)(z), -ˈyüz, -ˈyœ(z); -ˌyü(z)\

Etymology:

French, from Old French, midst, from miles middle (from Latin medius) + lieu place, from Latin locus — more at mid, stall

Date:

1854

: the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops : environment

synonyms see background