Definition
A charted holding pattern used in place of a standard procedure turn to accomplish course reversal and align the aircraft with the final approach course on an instrument approach. When depicted on the approach chart, the holding pattern is mandatory unless the controller authorizes a straight-in approach, and it must be flown in accordance with standard holding procedures within the published distance or leg length.
Plain English
Instead of doing a regular turn-around maneuver to get lined up with the runway approach path, the chart tells you to fly a racetrack-shaped holding pattern. You enter the pattern, fly one or more laps as needed to lose altitude or get configured, and then exit on the inbound leg lined up for the approach.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts in the plan view and profile view, especially where the approach needs a course reversal before continuing inbound.
Derivation
"In lieu of" is a French-derived legal phrase meaning "in place of." Used here to make clear the holding pattern substitutes for the procedure turn — you fly one or the other, not both.
Why Pilots Care
When the chart shows a holding pattern in lieu of a procedure turn, you must fly it unless ATC clears you straight-in. Skipping it without clearance is a procedural violation and can put you above the approach profile, unstable, or off course.
Intuition Check
Do not read holding pattern here as simply waiting in the air. In this term, the holding pattern is a charted way to turn the airplane around and line up for the approach.
Example Sentence 1
The approach chart showed a holding pattern in lieu of procedure turn at JOLTS, so we entered the hold, flew one lap to descend, and rolled out inbound on the final approach course.
Example Sentence 2
Because the approach chart depicted a holding pattern in lieu of procedure turn, no separate procedure turn was required.