lobby

1 of 2

noun

lob·​by ˈlä-bē 

plural lobbies

1

: a corridor or hall connected with a larger room or series of rooms and used as a passageway or waiting room: such as

a

: an anteroom of a legislative chamber

especially : one of two anterooms of a British parliamentary chamber to which members go to vote during a division

b

: a large hall serving as a foyer (as of a hotel or theater)

2

: a group of persons engaged in lobbying especially as representatives of a particular interest group

the gun lobby

the oil lobby

lobby

2 of 2

verb

lobbied; lobbying

intransitive verb

: to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation

transitive verb

1

: to promote (something, such as a project) or secure the passage of (legislation) by influencing public officials

lobby a bill through Congress

2

: to attempt to influence or sway (someone, such as a public official) toward a desired action

lobbying senators for tax reform

lobbyer noun

lobbyism

ˈlä-bē-ˌi-zəm 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• foyer
• hall

Examples of lobby in a Sentence

Noun

I'll meet you in the lobby after the show.

The proposed new law is supported by the oil lobby.

Verb

an organization that has been lobbying for reform of the tax laws

The health-care industry has lobbied against the proposal.

an organization that has been lobbying Congress for reform of the tax laws

a player who has lobbied hard to be included in the team's starting lineup

I lobbied our company for a new computer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Where is Narcan available at Texas State? San Marcos Student Health Center: Cashier window in lobby. —Lily Kepner, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

The hotel lobby bar will transform into a winter wonderland with a special holiday menu to get into the holiday spirit and celebrate the season all month. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

Under president Charlie Baker’s leadership, the NCAA has also lobbied states to outlaw proposition betting—wagers on specific events in a game, such as a single free throw. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Nov. 2024

Wiles’s past lobbying includes a Venezuelan TV network Wiles was a partner at Ballard Partners, a regional firm that lobbied for Trump’s companies in Florida. —Alan Suderman, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin lobium gallery, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German louba porch

First Known Use

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1820, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

lobby

1 of 2 noun

lob·​by ˈläb-ē 

plural lobbies

1

: a hall or entry especially when large enough to serve as a waiting room

a hotel lobby

2

: a group of persons engaged in lobbying

the oil lobby

lobby

2 of 2 verb

lobbied; lobbying

: to try to influence public officials and especially members of a legislative body

lobbyist

ˈläb-ē-əst 

noun

Legal Definition

lobby

1 of 2 noun

lob·​by

plural lobbies

: a group of persons engaged in lobbying especially as representatives of a particular interest group

lobby

2 of 2 verb

lobbied; lobbying

intransitive verb

: to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation

transitive verb

: to attempt to influence or sway (as a public official) toward a desired action

lobbyer noun

lobbyist noun