■ noun ( plural lobbies )
1》 a room out of which one or more other rooms or corridors lead, typically one near the entrance of a public building.
2》 (in the UK) any of several large halls in the Houses of Parliament in which MPs may meet members of the public.
↘(also division ~ ) each of two corridors in the Houses of Parliament to which MPs retire to vote.
3》 a group of people seeking to influence legislators on a particular issue.
↘an organized attempt by members of the public to influence legislators.
■ verb ( lobbies , ~ing , lobbied ) seek to influence (a legislator).
Derivatives
~ist noun
Origin
C16 (in the sense 'monastic cloister'): from med. L. lobia , lobium 'covered walk'.