lobby

An area just inside a building's entrance where people can wait or meet.

• Meet me in the lobby.
• The hotel lobby has comfortable chairs.
• Several guests were waiting in the lobby.

Similar words: entrance hall, foyer

Common phrases: hotel lobby, in the lobby, lobby entrance, entrance lobby

A group of people who try to persuade politicians to support their interests.

• The farming lobby opposed the tax.
• A powerful business lobby supported the proposal.
• The gun lobby wants fewer restrictions on ownership.

Similar words: pressure group, interest group

Common phrases: business lobby, powerful lobby, antiwar lobby

A small area near farm buildings, enclosed by fences or plants, where cattle are kept.

• The cows stood in the lobby.
• A hedge enclosed the lobby beside the farmyard.
• The farmer opened the lobby gate for the cattle.

Similar words: cowyard, paddock

Common phrases: farmyard lobby, cattle lobby

To try to persuade someone in authority to support a particular idea or decision.

• They lobby for better schools.
• Businesses lobbied the government to lower taxes.
• Who is lobbying against the proposal?

How to use it: lobby someone to do something (We lobbied the council to protect the park.); lobby for something (Parents are lobbying for safer crossings.); lobby against something (The group lobbied against the new tax.)

Similar words: campaign, press, petition

Common phrases: lobby for something, lobby against something, lobby the government