lobby

verb

lobbied; lobbying
Synonyms of lobbynext

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His appearance in the starting line-up for the third, against the Soviet Union, owed much to his popularity among his fellow players, who had lobbied coach Vicente Feola for his inclusion. Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026 Former State Attorney General Bill Lockyer, who served from 1999 to 2007, is now lobbying against the bill on behalf of the California Coalition for Injured Workers. Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2026 McLean also worked for the organization in the 2000s, lobbying for the league, according to previous Statesman reporting. Idaho Statesman, 28 May 2026 Both the authority and county officials lobbied Tallahassee hard to restore the money taken away. David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lobby

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of lobby was in 1820

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lobby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lobby. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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

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