Definition of "lobby" []

• A hall, foyer, or waiting room at or near the entrance to a building, such as a hotel or theater. (noun)
• A public room next to the assembly chamber of a legislative body. (noun)
• A group of persons engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause: the banking lobby; the labor lobby. (noun)
• To try to influence the thinking of legislators or other public officials for or against a specific cause: lobbying for stronger environmental safeguards; lobbied against the proliferation of nuclear arms. (verb-intransitive)
• To try to influence public officials on behalf of or against (proposed legislation, for example): lobbied the bill through Congress; lobbied the bill to a negative vote. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The Long Pavilion, for instance, which houses the main lobby, is positioned to catch the prevailing winds, so it stays cool without air-conditioning."
• "P.S. And of course the penguin lobby is fabulously out of control."
• "Anticipation for Chili Day, happening today 11: 45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lobby is at an all-time high, thanks in part to some eco-friendly decisions made by organizers."