Definition of "lobby" in English

noun

1. An entryway or reception area; vestibule; passageway; corridor.

   • I had to wait in the lobby for hours before seeing the doctor.

2. That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly.

3. (politics) A class or group of interested people who try to influence public officials; collectively, lobbyists.

   • Near-synonym: special interest
   • The influence of the tobacco lobby has decreased considerably in the US.

4. (videoconferencing) A virtual area where meeting attendees can await admittance from an authorized person.

5. (video games) A virtual area where players can chat and find opponents for a game.

6. (nautical) An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck.

7. A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges, trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard.

   • Near-synonyms: cowyard, paddock

8. A margin along either side of the playing field in the sport of kabaddi.

9. A waiting area in front of a bank of elevators.

   • Ranger Leslie Thompson, assigned to elevator duty, brought the elevator to the surface about 12:30 to bring down the tourists who were in the lobby of the elevator tower at that time.

verb

1. (intransitive, transitive) To attempt to influence (a public official or decision-maker) in favor of a specific opinion or cause.

   • For years, pro-life groups have continued to lobby hard for restrictions on abortion.
   • 2002, Jim Hightower, in Wikiquote The corporations don't have to lobby the government anymore. They are the government.
   • Allen Gregory DeLongpre: Yeah, it's not a big deal. I lobbied for fuel-cell technology on Capitol Hill. I'm friends with Sandy Bullock, really good friends. Who cares? It's not a pissing contest, right, J?

noun

1. (West Midlands, Potteries) lobscouse

   • My mam cooked us lobby for tea last night.