lobby

1 of 3

noun (1)

lob·​by ˈlä-bē 

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

lobby

2 of 3

verb

lobbied; lobbying

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

ˈlä-bē-ˌi-zəm 

noun

lobbyer

3 of 3

noun (2)

lob·​by·​er

-bēə(r)

plural -s

: one that lobbies : lobbyist

Synonyms of lobby

Noun (1)

• foyer
• hall

Examples of lobby in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Inside, the lobby is dimly lit in soothing lavender and blue and house music is piped in by surround sound. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

One floor up from the lobby, on the floor of the exchange, Skydance CEO David Ellison, co-CEO Ynon Kreiz and the entire senior leadership team gathered to ring the opening bell. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

Meanwhile, Murphy has started collecting signatures on a petition against the law and plans to lobby state lawmakers to repeal it. — Nico Rivero, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

The National Business Aviation Association and other aviation groups argue tax breaks help support jobs while spending millions lobbying to preserve their favorable treatment. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Medieval Latin lobium gallery, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German louba porch

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1820, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for lobby

• bobbie
• bobby
• hobby
• knobby
• nabi
• nobby
• panjabi
• punjabi
• wahhabi

Kids 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

lobbyist

ˈläb-ē-əst 

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