/ ˈlɒbi; NAmE ˈlɑːbi/ noun , verb
■ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ C ] a large area inside the entrance of a public building where people can meet and wait
SYN foyer :
a hotel lobby
2.
[ C ] (in the British Parliament) a large hall that is open to the public and used for people to meet and talk to Members of Parliament
3.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] a group of people who try to influence politicians on a particular issue :
The gun lobby is / are against any change in the law.
4.
[ C , sing. ] ( BrE ) an organized attempt by a group of people to influence politicians on a particular issue
SYN pressure group :
a recent lobby of Parliament by pensioners
■ verb
( lob·bies , lobby·ing , lob·bied , lob·bied ) lobby (sb) (for / against sth) to try to influence a politician or the government and, for example, persuade them to support or oppose a change in the law :
[ vn ]
Farmers will lobby Congress for higher subsidies.
[ v ]
Women's groups are lobbying to get more public money for children.
► lobby·ist / -ɪst; NAmE / noun :
political lobbyists
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense monastic cloister ): from medieval Latin lobia , lobium covered walk, portico. The verb sense (originally US) derives from the practice of frequenting the lobby of a house of legislature to influence its members into supporting a cause.