lobby

American  

[lob-ee] / ˈlɒb i /

noun

lobbies plural

1. an entrance hall, corridor, or vestibule, as in a public building, often serving as an anteroom; foyer.

2. a large public room or hall adjacent to a legislative chamber.

3. a group of persons who work or conduct a campaign to influence members of a legislature to vote according to the group's special interest.

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verb (used without object)

lobbies, present (3rd person singular) lobbied, past participle, past lobbying present participle

1. to solicit or try to influence the votes of members of a legislative body.

verb (used with object)

lobbies, present (3rd person singular) lobbied, past participle, past lobbying present participle

1. to try to influence the actions of (public officials, especially legislators).

2. to urge or procure the passage of (a bill), by lobbying.

lobby British  

/ ˈlɒbɪ /

noun

1. a room or corridor used as an entrance hall, vestibule, etc

2. a hall in a legislative building used for meetings between the legislators and members of the public

3. Also called: division lobby.  one of two corridors in a legislative building in which members vote

4. a group of persons who attempt to influence legislators on behalf of a particular interest

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verb

1. to attempt to influence (legislators, etc) in the formulation of policy

2. (intr) to act in the manner of a lobbyist

3. (tr) to apply pressure or influence for the passage of (a bill, etc)

lobby Cultural  

1. A group whose members share certain goals and work to bring about the passage, modification, or defeat of laws that affect these goals. Lobbies (also called interest groups or pressure groups) can be long-standing (such as minority groups struggling to have their civil rights guaranteed) or ad hoc (such as a community threatened by proposed construction of a nuclear power plant). Lobbies may use grassroots methods, such as local rallies and campaigns, to build support for their cause and often employ professional lobbyists, who testify before congressional committees and approach policymakers in all government branches. Powerful lobbies, such as the AFL-CIO and the American Legion, with millions of members, have succeeded in establishing influence in Washington, D.C.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unlobbying
  adjective
• lobbyer
  noun
• unlobbied
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• lobbies
  plural

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have lobbied
  perfect
• has lobbied
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am lobbying
  progressive 1st person singular
• is lobbying
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are lobbying
  progressive
• has been lobbying
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• lobbies
  singular 3rd person
• have been lobbying
  perfect progressive
• lobbying
  participle

Past

• had lobbied
  perfect
• were lobbying
  progressive plural
• lobbied
  participle
• was lobbying
  progressive singular
• lobbied
  simple
• had been lobbying
  perfect progressive

Future

• will lobby
  simple
• will have lobbied
  perfect
• will be lobbying
  progressive
• will have been lobbying
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of lobby

1545–55; < Medieval Latin lobia, laubia covered way < Old High German *laubia (later lauba ) arbor, derivative of laub leaf

Explanation

A lobby is a large waiting room or reception area. If you're waiting for an appointment in a lobby, maybe you'll get lucky and find a good magazine or even a peppermint candy. You'll find a lot of people hanging around in a lobby — which is basically what it’s there for. A lobby is where you meet your friend at the hotel or catch the elevator for your interview. The idea of the "political lobby group" came from the large entrance halls of the legislature, where people hung around trying to influence the lawmakers. So the next time your class tries to lobby your teacher for extra credit, he can thank the halls of Congress.

Example Sentences

The museum itself begins with "Hope and Change Lobby" and moves on to a colossal four-storey-high screen showing scenes of the Obamas and the civil rights movement.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

While most of its donors aren’t disclosed, records show the Servant Foundation, a philanthropy linked to the evangelical family that founded Hobby Lobby, has donated tens of millions of dollars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

What struck me is how much the fictional paper’s lobby looked like the old Globe Lobby of the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

I spent an hour or so after the vote standing in and around what is known as the Members’ Lobby, talking privately to MPs.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2024

He presses Lobby thirtysomething times, even as the elevator is already descending.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

Related Words

• campaign for
• persuade
• politick
• press
• promote
• push
• request
• solicit
• sway
• urge