I. ˈlä-bē noun
( plural lobbies )
Etymology: Medieval Latin lobium gallery, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German louba porch
Date: 1593
1. : a corridor or hall connected with a larger room or series of rooms and used as a passageway or waiting room: 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
II. verb
( lob·bied ; lob·by·ing )
Date: 1837
intransitive verb
: to conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation
transitive verb
1. : to promote (as a project) or secure the passage of (as legislation) by influencing public officials
2. : to attempt to influence or sway (as a public official) toward a desired action
• lob·by·er noun
• lob·by·ism -ˌi-zəm noun
• lob·by·ist -ist noun