lobby definition

Origin: LL. Lobium, lobia, laubia, a covered portico fit for walking, fr. OHG.louba, G. Laube, arbor. See Lodge.

1. A passage or hall of communication, especially when large enough to serve also as a waiting room. It differs from an antechamber in that a lobby communicates between several rooms, an antechamber to one only; but this distinction is not carefully preserved.

2. 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.

3. An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck.

4. <agriculture> A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges. Trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard. Lobby member, a lobbyist.