lobby

1 of 2

noun

lob·​by ˈlä-bē How to pronounce lobby (audio)
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 noun

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
It will be connected to the fourth concept, a lobby bar with a stylish, classic vibe. The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 Each forum will be in the lobby of the Studio and Design Center in the Windgate Art and Design District. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2024 Barbato recalled meeting him in the lobby of the Marriott Marquis, in Times Square. Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 Fans of Euphoria actor Hunter Schafer learned that she and dozens of anti-war protestors were arrested earlier this week in the lobby of NBC's headquarters at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, timed to President Biden's interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 Bedrooms feature pink scalloped headboards and bouclé-fabric chairs, but more time will be spent downstairs in the lobby bar and winter garden with its Delft fireplace and weekend DJs. Rick Jordan, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2024 Historically, the concierge has been a cornerstone of the luxury hotel experience – a resourceful individual stationed in the lobby, ready to assist guests with everything from dinner reservations to tour bookings. Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Its grand lobby is a visual treat for the eyes – with vaulted ceilings punctuated with golden Murano chandeliers and sconces; luxe, cozy vignettes meant for sipping cocktails or snuggling with a book; and an adjacent ballroom anchored by a theatrical Chihuly chandelier. Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 The lobby level location was formerly home to BLT Steak, which permanently closed at the end of 2023 after nearly 15 years. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2024
Verb
Lampkin’s husband, Ron Dickey, died in November 2022 after months of lobbying for aid-in-dying. Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 The Tavern League reported spending more than 500 hours and nearly $63,000 on lobbying last year, 90% of which was directed toward the industry overhaul bill. Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024 Mayor Kate Gallego lobbied Gov. Katie Hobbs from the dais on Tuesday, asking her to delay implementation of the rent tax for one year. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 Last year, top financial firms including billionaire Miami resident Ken Griffin’s Citadel successfully lobbied to revise a ban on Chinese nationals investing in Florida real estate. Michael Smith, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 In addition to lobbying for a citywide ban, animal rights groups sued the city in November claiming that rodeos involve shocking horses in ways that violate state law. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 Ukraine’s parliament has adopted a new law on lobbying, a key recommendation of the European Commission ahead of the start of EU accession negotiations, according to Denys Maslov, chairman of the legal policy committee. Olesia Safronova, Bloomberg.com, 23 Feb. 2024 The complaints galvanized developers around the world to begin lobbying for changes to the app economy. Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 And this did not satisfy the Asiatic Exclusion League, which was the main organization lobbying for Japanese exclusion. Theodore S. Gonzalves, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lobby.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1820, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of lobby was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near lobby

Cite this Entry

“Lobby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lobby. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lobby

1 of 2 noun
lob·​by ˈläb-ē How to pronounce lobby (audio)
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 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

More from Merriam-Webster on lobby

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