lobby
n. countablen. a large entrance area or hall inside a building like a hotel or theater. It is a place where people wait, meet others, or check in.
n. a large entrance hall or reception area in a public building. Also refers to an organized group of people who attempt to influence legislators on behalf of a specific interest.
I will meet you in the hotel lobby at six.
The protesters gathered in the main lobby of the government building to wait for the official announcement.
While the architectural lobby serves as a grand entrance for visitors, the political lobby operates behind the scenes to sway public policy in favor of corporate interests.
From Medieval Latin lobia, lobium, laubia (“a portico, covered way, gallery”), borrowed from Frankish *laubijā (“arbour, shelter”), related to Old English lēaf (“foliage”). More at leaf. Doublet of leaf, lodge, and loggia. Political sense derives from the entrance hall of legislatures, where people traditionally tried to influence legislators because it was the most convenient place to meet them.
Shortened from lobscouse.
When referring to the political group, it is often used with 'the' as a collective noun.