What does "lobby" mean?
Lobby: That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly; hence, the persons, collectively, who frequent such a place to transact business with the legislators; any persons, not members of a legislative body, who strive to influence its proceedings by personal agency. [U.S.]
Additional senses
- 2.(Naut.) An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck.
- 3.(Agric.) A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges. trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard. Lobby member, a lobbyist. [Humorous cant, U. S.]
- 4.To address or solicit members of a legislative body in the lobby or elsewhere, with the purpose to influence their votes.[U.S.] Bartlett.
- 5.To urge the adoption or passage of by soliciting members of a legislative body; as, to lobby a bill. [U.S.]
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00