lobby

noun

lob·by | \ˈlä-bē

plural lobbies

Definition of lobby

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

verb

lobbied; lobbying

Definition of lobby (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from lobby Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about lobby

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from lobby

Verb

lobbyer noun

lobbyism \ˈlä-bē-ˌi-zəm

\ noun

lobbyist \ˈlä-bē-ist

\ 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

Wireless industry defends slowdowns One reason to think that Choffnes' research has correctly identified throttling comes in a statement last month from CTIA, the wireless industry lobby group for Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "How a phone app detected Sprint’s alleged throttling of Skype," 29 Nov. 2018 One of Canada’s most prominent business lobby groups applauded the government’s incentive plan. — Paul Vieira, WSJ, "Canada Unveils Tax Incentives to Offset Trump Effect," 21 Nov. 2018 An email from then-Interior official Megan Bloomgren—who now works for the oil lobby group—to colleagues clarified the message that Zinke wanted to deliver. — Zack Colman, Scientific American, "A Trump Oil Boom Could Transform This Rocky Mountain Landscape," 13 July 2018 The elevator takes 33 seconds to ascend from the lobby to the Pier Top Lounge, and 66 seconds total if going up and down. — Meryl Kornfield, Sun-Sentinel.com, "6 fun things about Pier 66 you probably didn't know," 6 July 2018 Interstate 35 and Southwest Boulevard are visible from the colorful lobby at Crossroads Westside Apartments, located at 601 Avenida Cesar E Chavez. — Sarah Gish, kansascity, "Saltwater pool, gym, dog spa: Tour downtown KC's new Crossroads Westside Apartments," 27 June 2018 Its owner, George Gorrow, is a fashion-industry veteran and flaxen-haired Thor ringer who curates the lobby art gallery and boutique selling his minimalistic streetwear. — Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, "Finding the Bali You Came For," 16 Nov. 2018 According to Politico, a group of about 200 activists took over Pelosi’s congressional office lobby in Washington, D.C., with hundreds more lining the hallway. — Emily Bloch, Teen Vogue, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Supported Protesters at Nancy Pelosi's Office During Her Congressional Orientation," 14 Nov. 2018 The lobby in the Menil Collection building serves similar, multiple purposes, reportedly inspired by Dominique’s habit of using her home’s foyer for receptions. — Alexandra Lange, Curbed, "A museum grows in Houston," 1 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

A year ago, the New York Attorney General’s office began its own investigation and issued subpoenas to over a dozen telecommunications lobbying groups this past October. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "The FBI is now investigating fake anti-net neutrality comments," 8 Dec. 2018 So what do American industries spend to lobby Congress on this issue? — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Fossil fuel lobbyists grossly outspend “Big Green”," 20 July 2018 Mayor Kenney traveled to Harrisburg last month to lobby against the bill, which has the backing of the beverage industry. — Laura Mccrystal, Philly.com, "California banned new soda taxes. Could it happen in Pennsylvania?," 12 July 2018 That was a central argument for the U.S. and governments in Europe and elsewhere who lobbied against Russian security service veteran Prokopchuk. — Angela Charlton, The Seattle Times, "Interpol’s flaws exposed in US-Russia fight over presidency," 21 Nov. 2018 Newspapers are running op-eds and media executives are lobbying their representatives as a new Congress takes shape. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "How Mark Zuckerberg became a wartime CEO," 20 Nov. 2018 Us workers trekked to Washington, D.C., protested in New York and lobbied in front of the firms’ investors. — Lillian Rizzo, WSJ, "Bain, KKR Establish Severance Fund for Toys ‘R’ Us Workers," 20 Nov. 2018 The bill seems unlikely to pass, given the extreme penalties, lobbying clout of big businesses, and Republicans' control of Congress. — Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, "Proposed data privacy law could send company execs to prison for 20 years," 2 Nov. 2018 The drug industry's top lobbying arm, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, spent nearly $26 million to sway federal decision makers last year, according to records tallied by Center for Responsive Politics. — CBS News, "Trump's plan to bring down drug prices takes small steps," 12 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lobby.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.