lob|by

lob|by «LOB ee», noun, plural -bies, verb, -bied, -by|ing.

–n.

1. an entrance hall connected with one or more rooms in a building and used as a passageway or anteroom: »

the lobby of a theater. A hotel lobby usually has chairs and couches to sit on.

SYNONYM(S): foyer.

2. a room or hall outside a legislative chamber, open to the public. The lobby of the British House of Commons serves chiefly for interviews between members and persons not belonging to the House.

3. a person or persons that try to influence members of a lawmaking body; body of lobbyists: »

The governor conceded the legislative proposals probably will be strongly opposed by business interests. An aide said business lobbies had indicated almost “uniform resistance” (Wall Street Journal).

–v.i.

to try to influence members of a lawmaking body in their votes: »

The cotton farmers from the South lobbied against a law to allow importing cotton from Egypt. The jewelry industry has been lobbying against a low tariff on watches.

–v.t.

1. to get or try to get (a bill) passed by lobbying: »

The group tried to lobby the bill through.

2. to influence (legislators) in their votes: »

Aircraft workers might decide to lobby their M.P.s within the next two or three weeks (London Times).

╂[< Medieval Latin lobium, lobia covered walk < Germanic (compare Old High German louba hall, roof). See etym. of doublets lodge (Cf. ↑lodge), loge (Cf. ↑loge), loggia. (Cf. ↑loggia)]

–lob´by|er, noun.