Definition

1. Noun:

   • A group of people who try actively to influence legislation: A "lobby" is an organized group that seeks to persuade lawmakers to support or oppose specific policies, laws, or regulations.
   • The people who support some common cause or business or principle or sectional interest: This refers to the collective body of individuals or organizations united by a shared interest, often in a political or commercial context.
   • A large entrance or reception room or area: In architecture, a "lobby" is a large room or hall inside the main entrance of a public building, such as a hotel, theater, or office.

2. Verb:

   • To detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors: To "lobby" means to attempt to influence or persuade someone, especially a politician or official, to make a decision favorable to one's interests, often through direct conversation or persistent effort.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Influencing group):
  • The environmental lobby is pushing for stricter pollution controls.
  • He works for a powerful gun lobby in Washington.
• Noun (Reception area):
  • Please wait for me in the hotel lobby.
  • The concert attendees gathered in the theater lobby during intermission.
• Verb:
  • The company hired a firm to lobby Congress for tax breaks.
  • Activists are lobbying senators to vote against the bill.

Advanced Usage

• "To lobby for/against something": To actively campaign in support of or in opposition to a specific cause or legislation.
  • The union is lobbying for better worker safety laws.
  • Consumer groups lobbied against the proposed merger.

Variants and Related Words

• Lobbyist (n): A person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators.
  • The lobbyist met with several members of parliament.
• Lobbying (n): The activity of trying to persuade someone in authority, usually an elected official, to support or oppose a particular cause.
  • Corporate lobbying has a significant impact on policy.

Synonyms

• Noun (Group): Pressure group, interest group, advocacy group.
• Noun (Area): Foyer, entrance hall, vestibule.
• Verb: Petition, press, campaign, solicit.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Lobby through: To successfully secure the passage of a law or policy through lobbying efforts.
  • They managed to lobby the bill through the committee.

Related Idioms

• "The gun lobby / tobacco lobby / etc.": A common way to refer to a specific, well-known interest group.
  • The pharmaceutical lobby is very influential.
• "To lobby one's case": To argue persistently for one's position or cause.
  • She spent the afternoon lobbying her case to the board of directors.

Noun

1. a group of people who try actively to influence legislation
2. the people who support some common cause or business or principle or sectional interest
3. a large entrance or reception room or area

Verb

1. detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors