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

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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

In 2017, the lobby and pools were redone and Mowry & Cotton restaurant opened. — Dawn Gilbertson, azcentral, "Check out the Phoenician resort's fresh look: New spa, golf course, lobby," 11 July 2018 Augustin, Marciano told police, was being evicted for failure to pay rent and causing disruptions in the building, such as harassing other tenants in the lobby and elevator, the warrant says. — David Owens, courant.com, "Woman Accused Of Stabbing Hartford Police Officer Faces New Charge," 19 June 2018 After meeting with officers in the lobby, Puscian was admitted to a local hospital and completed a rape kit exam there. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Could Gareon Conley Legally Prove That Rape Allegation Caused Draft Slide, Financial Harm?," 12 July 2018 Luxury flats with angular chairs and oversized espresso machines in the lobby have sprouted opposite liquor stores. — The Economist, "In praise of gentrification," 21 June 2018 Later phases include expanding the theater's concessions area in the lobby, improving seating in the balcony, adding a bar and concessions in the mezzanine level, and upgrading second-floor restrooms. — Chris Foran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Landmark closing Oriental Theatre Thursday; Milwaukee Film plans to reopen venue by early August," 20 June 2018 The people that would come in to cut hair, the massage, the fish tank in the lobby. — Albert Williams, Chicago Reader, "The 1980s AIDS epidemic in Chicago revisited in Rebecca Makkai’s new novel, The Great Believers," 14 June 2018 Namely, there’s a giant ice cream bar in the lobby. — Adam Lukach, RedEye Chicago, "Get free Blue Bunny ice cream samples all week at Clark and Lake," 30 May 2018 In the lobby, a plaque on the wall celebrates the building’s environmental friendliness, LEED Gold–certified in 2011. — Tom Chiarella And James Lynch, Popular Mechanics, "The Last Shift: What Really Happened To Those Carrier Jobs Trump Saved," 15 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Indeed, an Alkermes spokeswoman said the company had not lobbied on Tonko’s bill, and its lobbying disclosures make no specific mention of it. — Lev Facher, STAT, "As opioids legislation gains steam, efforts to address crisis collide with moneyed interests," 7 June 2018 Only Australia was let off, perhaps because of a friendship between the president and Greg Norman, an Australian golfer, who lobbied on his government’s behalf. — The Economist, "President Trump’s tariffs have united his opponents at home and abroad," 7 June 2018 Google has spent more than €31 million ($36 million) on lobbying the European Parliament against changes to copyright law, claims umbrella organization UK Music. — Richard Smirke, Billboard, "Music Chiefs Slam Google Lobbying Spend Ahead Of EU Copyright Vote," 3 July 2018 The boy’s father, an internal medicine doctor at Baylor College of Medicine, had appeared at congressional hearings lobbying for the boy’s return. — Gabrielle Banks, Houston Chronicle, "Jury returns split verdict in international kidnapping case involving Houston boy," 25 May 2018 If approved, the bill would enact a lifetime ban on lobbying by former members of Congress, freeze congressional salaries at their current level and require an on-the-record vote for any pay hikes. — Steven Lemongello, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Stephanie Murphy introduces lifetime lobbying ban for former Congress members," 24 May 2018 Thank you to all those students who walked out of school and those who were arrested for lobbying for change. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "Cynthia Nixon, Margaret Atwood, and Catherine Zeta-Jones Celebrate Free Speech at the PEN America Literary Gala," 23 May 2018 But there’s a faction in Phoenix, including talented swingman Josh Jackson, lobbying for Ayton, clearly the best all-around big man available. — Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, "An NBA prospect wonders: Europe or Sacramento?," 19 May 2018 His bill originally included provisions similar to those included in Clean Missouri, like a ban on lobbyist gifts, a cap on campaign contributions and a ban on lobbying for two years after a legislators leaves the General Assembly. — Allison Kite, kansascity, "Only citizens could be counted to draw legislative districts, per Missouri House bill | The Kansas City Star," 15 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.