lobby

[ lob-ee ]

noun

, plural lob·bies.

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.

verb (used without object)

, lob·bied, lob·by·ing.

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

verb (used with object)

, lob·bied, lob·by·ing.

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

/ 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 calleddivision 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

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

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.

Derived Forms

• ˈlobbyer, noun

Other Words From

• lobby·er noun
• un·lobbied adjective
• un·lobby·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobby¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobby¹

C16: from Medieval Latin lobia portico, from Old High German lauba arbor, from laub leaf

Example Sentences

Then before leaving the Atwood Building, Potts caught up with her boss in the lobby of the Atwood.

From ProPublica

The main floor is split up between the lobby, the restaurant, and there’s even an intimate little nook for whatever the mood calls for.

From Fortune

When you want to get together for a planned or unplanned meeting, you can pull someone from the lobby and create another room.

From TechCrunch

If we don’tspeak, strike, protest, lobby, marchwrite, boycott, weigh inJackie RobinsonDay will be just anotherswing and a big miss.

From Fortune

A lot of people you never would have imagined are now saying that maybe the anti-vaccination lobby has a point.

From Ozy

There was an air of excitement and anticipation in the lobby as showtime approached.

From The Daily Beast

While the Hobby Lobby decision may have lost its cultural appeal, it still carries weight in the federal court system.

From The Daily Beast

Yet that is precisely what President Obama and more specifically the immigration lobby is asking Americans to do.

From The Daily Beast

They are for corporations like Hobby Lobby, and vast hospital networks, and, yes, adoption agencies.

From The Daily Beast

Change the location from a hotel lobby to an airport check-in desk and this crazy scenario becomes all too familiar.

From The Daily Beast

Spencer Perceval, prime minister of Great Britain, shot in the lobby of the house of commons.

From Project Gutenberg

His answer was, that the direct method would be by forwarding a petition in the way proposed when at the lobby.

From Project Gutenberg

Behind him, a lobby lounger moved over to the elevator boy, jerking his chin in Wilson Lamb's direction as he asked a question.

From Project Gutenberg

Halfway across the lobby, a tall swarthy man with one of those deadpan faces rose to greet him.

From Project Gutenberg

Lamb went back into the main lobby and ensconced himself behind a morning paper.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• corridor
• doorway
• foyer
• hall
• hallway
• porch
• vestibule
• waiting room