plural lobbies
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
lobbied; lobbying
: to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation
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
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
Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Either way, grab a drink or coffee at the lobby bar or stroll an expansive veranda outfitted with fire pits, walking paths, and the aforementioned ocean view before your room is ready.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 14 May 2026
Last year, the Boys Don't Cry star helped lobby for the CA Senate Bill 646, which enforces prenatal vitamin manufacturers to test for and disclose levels of potentially harmful heavy metals in products.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lobby
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Noun
The next day, Riley and I sat down at the Austin Proper hotel, whose lobby was full of Silicon Valley types heading to the tech events of SXSW.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Either way, grab a drink or coffee at the lobby bar or stroll an expansive veranda outfitted with fire pits, walking paths, and the aforementioned ocean view before your room is ready.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
Verb
Trade groups such as the American Gaming Association have lobbied for it to be axed.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 14 May 2026
Last year, the Boys Don't Cry star helped lobby for the CA Senate Bill 646, which enforces prenatal vitamin manufacturers to test for and disclose levels of potentially harmful heavy metals in products.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lobby
Cite this Entry
“Lobby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lobby. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lobby
1 of 2 noun
lob·by
ˈläb-ē 
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
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