lobby
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lobby¹
- /ˈlɒb.i/ UK
- /ˈlɑ.bi/ US, dialectal
- /ˈlɒb.i/ Canada, dialectal
- /ˈlɔb.i/ Australia, New Zealand
- /ˈlɒb.i/ Australia, New Zealand
Rhymes with -ɒbi
Where it comes from
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.
noun lobbies
- An entryway or reception area; vestibule; passageway; corridor. I had to wait in the lobby for hours before seeing the doctor.
- That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly.
-
A class or group of interested people who try to influence public officials; collectively, lobbyists.
Near-synonym: special interest
Similar: special interest
- A virtual area where meeting attendees can await admittance from an authorized person.
- A virtual area where players can chat and find opponents for a game.
- An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck.
- A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges, trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard. Near-synonyms: cowyard, paddock
- A margin along either side of the playing field in the sport of kabaddi.
- 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 lobbies · lobbying · lobbied
- 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.
lobby²
- /ˈlɒb.i/ UK
- /ˈlɑ.bi/ US, dialectal
- /ˈlɒb.i/ Canada, dialectal
- /ˈlɔb.i/ Australia, New Zealand
- /ˈlɒb.i/ Australia, New Zealand
Rhymes with -ɒbi
Where it comes from
Shortened from lobscouse.
noun
- lobscouse My mam cooked us lobby for tea last night.
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: anteroom, foyer, antechamber, hall, vestibule, entrance hall, buttonhole, pressure group, third house, gateway, corridor, hallway, salon, concourse, fireplace, hearth
Translations
Every language
noun entryway or waiting area; vestibule
| Español | vestíbulo, recibidor, zaguán, atrio, palier, lobby |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 로비 robi, 휴게소 hyugeso |
| 日本語 | ロビー robī, 休息所 kyūsokujo |
| 中文 | 門廳 /门厅 méntīng, 休息室 xiūxishì, 大廳 /大厅 dàtīng |
| Português | saguão, vestíbulo, átrio |
| Français | vestibule, foyer, hall |
| Deutsch | Lobby, Foyer, Vorraum, Vorhalle |
| Italiano | atrio |
| Русский | коридо́р koridór, вестибю́ль vestibjúlʹ, фойе́ fojjé, холл xoll, прихо́жая prixóžaja |
| Tiếng Việt | hành lang, phòng chờ, phòng đợi, tiền sảnh, đại sảnh |
| العربية | رَدْهَة radha |
| עברית | לוֹבִּי lóbi |
noun group of people who try to lobby
| Español | lobby, grupo de presión, grupo de cabildeo, grupo cabildero, camarilla |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 로비 robi, 압력단체 amnyeokdanche |
| 日本語 | ロビー robī, 圧力団体 atsuryoku dantai |
| 中文 | 遊說集團 /游说集团 yóushuì jítuán |
| Português | lobby, lóbi |
| Français | lobby |
| Deutsch | Lobby |
| Italiano | lobby |
| Русский | ло́бби lóbbi |
| עברית | שְׁדֻלָּה shdula, לוֹבִּי lóbi |
verb to attempt to influence
| Español | cabildear, recabar, hacer lobbying |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 遊說 /游说 yóushuì |
| Português | fazer lobby |
| Français | faire pression sur |
| Deutsch | lobbyieren |
| Italiano | fare pressioni su, esercitare influenza su, fare manovre di corridoio |
| Русский | лобби́ровать lobbírovatʹ |
| Tiếng Việt | vận động hành lang |
Talk about this word "lobby." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/lobby. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. lobby. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/lobby "lobby." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/lobby.Cite this
@misc{lobby_2026,
title = {lobby},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/lobby},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
