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lobby

American  
[lob-ee] / ˈlɒb i /

noun

plural

lobbies

  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)

lobbied, lobbying

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

verb (used with object)

lobbied, lobbying

  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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.

Other Word Forms

  • lobbyer noun
  • unlobbied adjective
  • unlobbying adjective

Etymology

Origin of lobby

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Unlike large firms with extensive legal teams and lobbying power, small businesses lack the resources to pursue lengthy legal battles or access capital from financial markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

It calls for a mandatory registration system for foreign agents -- such as individuals and corporations lobbying within Japan on behalf of other governments -- as part of counterintelligence measures.

From Barron's

New Yorkers who attended a Fox sisters’ circle were led from the Barnum Hotel’s lobby, down a series of marble hallways to one of its largest parlors.

From Literature

A Seoul government official said South Korea has made "various efforts" to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the North regardless of politics, hinting that the country had lobbied Washington.

From Barron's

She said she would lobby for the eaglet to be called Sandy, after the late director, if the name hasn’t been used already.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.