lobby

/ˈlɑbi/
verb
  1. To try to influence politicians or government officials to support or oppose something.
    • Citizens lobbied the mayor to build a new park.
    • She lobbied for better funding for public schools.
    • The company hired a team to lobby members of Congress.
noun
  1. A large open area inside the entrance of a building, such as a hotel, theater, or office building.
    • The theater lobby was crowded with people buying tickets.
    • We waited for our friends in the hotel lobby.
    • She sat on a bench in the office lobby reading a magazine.
  2. A group of people who try to influence politicians or government officials to make decisions that benefit a particular cause or industry.
    • The gun lobby spent millions of dollars on advertising.
    • A powerful business lobby convinced the city council to change the zoning rules.
    • The environmental lobby pushed for stricter pollution laws.