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 mi 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