lobby

Noun

1. An entryway or reception area; vestibule; passageway; corridor.
2. That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly.
3. A class or group of interested people who try to influence public officials; collectively, lobbyists.
4. A virtual area where meeting attendees can await admittance from an authorized person.
5. A virtual area where players can chat and find opponents for a game.
6. 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.
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.

Verb

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

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈlɒb.i/

Etymology

Cognate with Old English: lēaf

In summary

From Medieval Latin lobia, lobium, laubia (“a portico, covered way, gallery”), borrowed from Frankish *laubijā (“arbour, shelter”), related to Old English lēaf (“foliage”). More at leaf. Doublet of leaf, lodge, and loggia.
Political sense derives from the entrance hall of legislatures, where people traditionally tried to influence legislators because it was the most convenient place to meet them.

Synonyms

foyer

hall

vestibule

entrance hall

anteroom

lounge

pressure group

hallway

antechamber

third house

rest house

pavilion

buttonhole

alleyway

rest area

lively

motion

movement

parlor

parlour

passage

passageway

physical exercises

promote

reception room

recreation room

retard

room

salon

social movement

solicit

sports

tambour

waiting room

wings

body cavity

crush-room

break room

special interests

active

hotel foyer

aisle

atrium

auditorium

beg

campaign

coalition

concourse

convince

delay

Translations

lobby

vestibule

Lobby

atrio

vestíbulo

vestíbulo

lobby

hall

foyer

Foyer

saguão

cabildear

lobby

προθάλαμος

ingresso

Sentences

The south lobby was restructured with a new entryway and dramatic atrium .