Lobby Verb: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：petition (lobby)

lobby 🔊

/ˈlɒb.i/

To try to persuade government officials or politicians to support or oppose a specific law, policy, or action.

Lobby verb illustration: professional presenting a case to a politician in an office

petition 🔊

➕

/pəˈtɪʃ.ən/

To actively attempt to influence decision-makers, typically politicians or officials, on behalf of a specific interest or cause.

📁 Category：Countries & Government 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'lobium' (a gallery, corridor) via Old High German 'louba' (roof, portico).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of people waiting in a LOBBY to catch and PETITION someone important who walks by.

📖 Example

The environmental group is lobbying the government to pass stricter laws on plastic waste. 🔊 The environmental group is petitioning the government to enact more stringent regulations concerning plastic waste.

🔗 Collocations

lobby for/against something – To actively advocate in favor of or in opposition to a particular cause or legislation.

lobby Congress/Parliament – To directly seek to influence the members of a legislative body.

lobby hard – To make intense and persistent efforts to influence.

🔄 Synonyms

advocate (v.) – To publicly recommend or support a particular policy or cause.

campaign (v.) – To work in an organized and active way toward a goal, often involving public outreach.

petition (v.) – To make a formal request, especially to an authority, often with supporting signatures.

🌱 Derivatives

lobbyist (n.) – A person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators.

lobbying (n.) – The activity of trying to persuade someone in authority, usually a politician, to support or oppose a particular cause.

📖 Cultural Story

The word evolved from 'lobia' (Medieval Latin for a covered walkway) into English 'lobby' (the entrance hall of a building). Its political meaning arose in the 19th century, referring to the practice of influence-seekers cornering legislators in the lobbies of legislative chambers.