lobbying
UK: ˈlɒbiɪŋ | US: ˈlɑːbiɪŋ
n. The act of attempting to influence decisions made by government officials, typically through persuasion or advocacy.
vt. The present participle or gerund form of "lobby," meaning to engage in such influence efforts.
lobbying = lobby<influence> + ing<verb suffix>
- lobby: Originally referred to a physical hallway or waiting area (from Medieval Latin lobia, meaning "covered walk"). By the 19th century, it evolved to mean the act of influencing legislators in the lobby of a government building.
- ing: A suffix forming present participles or gerunds, indicating ongoing action.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to the Latin lobia (a covered walkway), which entered English via Old French loge. In the 1800s, "lobby" became associated with political influence as advocates would corner lawmakers in legislative lobbies. The suffix -ing turns the noun into an action, reflecting the persistent efforts of modern advocacy groups.
The oil industry spends millions on lobbying to shape environmental policies.
She specializes in lobbying for healthcare reform.
Critics argue that excessive lobbying undermines democratic processes.
The organization is lobbying Congress to pass the new bill.
Transparency in lobbying activities is essential for public trust.