lobby

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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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 Welfare check: Beta Drive The staff at the Holiday Inn reported Jan. 15 that a woman in the lobby appeared to be drunk and unaware of her surroundings. — cleveland, "Officers make middle-of-the-night domestic violence arrest: Mayfield Police Blotter," 22 Jan. 2020 Mike and Jessica, chatting alone in the lobby, quickly reached a consensus. — Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, "Mike McCarthy’s way," 19 Jan. 2020 Sip a tequila in the lobby or enjoy the rooftop pool on hot Texas nights (from $199 a night, southcongresshotel.com). — Nina Sovich, WSJ, "Austin Getaway: A Grown-Up’s Guide to the Cool-Kid City," 15 Jan. 2020 Some of the buildings were hollowed out with broken glass in the lobby. — Brett Murphy, USA Today, "Reporting on a deadly airstrike in Afghanistan," 9 Jan. 2020 Both alumni associations have tables set up in the lobby to guide incoming fans, who seem to be mingling mostly out of curiosity. — Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: How Indiana football put together its best season in 25 years," 1 Jan. 2020 Evanston police officers were posted in all corners of the church sanctuary, entryway and on the streets outside, and Police Chief Demitrous Cook welcomed guests in the lobby. — Genevieve Bookwalter, chicagotribune.com, "Hundreds pack Evanston church to discuss city’s local reparations fund: ‘It was time to lead in urgency’," 10 Dec. 2019 Earlier in the book, Kantor approaches him in the lobby to introduce herself. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Old-fashioned reporting most compelling aspect of ‘She Said’," 17 Sep. 2019 The inaugural Women's March photo appeared in a promotional display used in an elevator lobby, according to the archives. — Audrey Mcnamara, CBS News, "National Archives apologizes for altering 2017 Women's March photo," 18 Jan. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The Trump administration had lobbied its British counterparts to boycott the vendor over national security concerns. — Caitlin Yilek, Washington Examiner, "Britain won't ban Huawei equipment from 5G network in major setback for US," 28 Jan. 2020 The Trump administration has lobbied Johnson’s government hard in recent weeks to try to persuade the UK to exclude Huawei from 5G networks over concerns the technology could facilitate Chinese spying in future. — BostonGlobe.com, "Boston investment firm helps finance energy software spinoff," 23 Jan. 2020 Campaigners, including Thunberg, had lobbied Siemens to abandon the controversial project, claiming rivals Hitachi Rail of Japan and France’s Alstom had allegedly ruled out working with Carmichael’s Indian operator, Adani Mining. — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, "Forget Policymakers. Greta Thunberg and Her Allies are Targeting CEOs Now," 13 Jan. 2020 The same companies have lobbied to block similar legislation from taking hold elsewhere, including in New York City this past fall, when companies like Uber and Instacart opposed support of AB5-like legislation. — Audrey Winn, Quartz, "League of Legends gamers could become California’s newest workforce," 9 Jan. 2020 In addition to working closely with C.A.B.S., Mr. Serhal’s organization has lobbied Lebanon’s government for stricter anti-poaching laws, developed a bird book and field guide, and visited scout groups and schools. — Helen Sullivan, New York Times, "Invoking Islamic Tradition to Save Birds in Lebanon," 6 Jan. 2020 Opponents have lobbied Congress to limit funding and prevent construction in areas like the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge as well as the nonprofit National Butterfly Center and a historic Catholic chapel. — Nomaan Merchant, SFChronicle.com, "US accelerates eminent domain lawsuits for border wall construction," 22 Dec. 2019 But Jones, city leaders and others in Congress have been lobbying relentlessly for Huntsville to land the HQ. — Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, "Space Command HQ decision drawing near, Sen. Jones says," 15 Dec. 2019 Irby has lobbied for a federal bill prohibiting these practices — which the House passed in July over the opposition of the industry. — Steve Chapman, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Michael Vick deserves our forgiveness," 11 Dec. 2019

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.