Lobby vs. Gallery: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023
A "lobby" is an entrance hall or waiting area, while a "gallery" is a space for displaying art or a tier of seats in a theater.
Key Differences
ParagraphA "lobby" primarily refers to an entrance hall or reception area in a building where people can gather or wait. A "gallery," on the other hand, is often a room or building dedicated to the exhibition of artwork or artifacts.
From a grammatical perspective, both "lobby" and "gallery" function as nouns. While "lobby" can also be used as a verb in the context of political advocacy, "gallery" remains strictly a noun.
The term "lobby" is widely used in various settings, including hotels, office buildings, and legislative bodies. "Gallery," on the other hand, is a term more commonly associated with art exhibitions, museums, or specific seating areas in theaters or legislative chambers.
The word "lobby" could refer to both a physical space and an activity (lobbying), while "gallery" pertains specifically to a venue for artistic or spectator display. "Lobby" as an activity refers to the act of trying to influence policymakers, which is not a function associated with a "gallery."
"Lobby" and "gallery" may sometimes intersect when a lobby area also serves as an exhibition space for art. However, the primary function of a lobby is as a waiting or reception area, whereas a gallery is designed primarily for public viewing of artwork or as spectator seating.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Function
Entrance or waiting area
Exhibition space or spectator seating
Grammatical Role
Noun, can be a verb
Strictly a noun
Common Settings
Hotels, offices, legislative chambers
Art museums, theaters, legislative chambers
Associated Activities
Waiting, gathering, lobbying
Viewing art, spectating
Additional Meanings
Political advocacy
None
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Lobby and Gallery Definitions
Lobby
Reception area
The lobby is decorated for the holidays.
Gallery
Art exhibition space
The gallery features modern art.
Lobby
Advocacy group
The gun lobby is influential.
Gallery
Balcony in a theater or courtroom
The gallery was full during the trial.
Lobby
Waiting area
The hotel lobby is spacious.
Gallery
A roofed promenade, especially one extending along the wall of a building and supported by arches or columns on the outer side.
Lobby
Political activity
To lobby is to try to influence policymakers.
Gallery
A long enclosed passage, such as a hallway or corridor.
Lobby
A hall, foyer, or waiting room at or near the entrance to a building, such as a hotel or theater.
Gallery
A narrow balcony, usually having a railing or balustrade, along the outside of a building.
Lobby
A public room next to the assembly chamber of a legislative body.
Gallery
A projecting or recessed passageway along an upper story on the interior or exterior of a large building, generally marked by a colonnade or arcade.
Lobby
A group of persons engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause
The banking lobby.
The labor lobby.
Gallery
Such a passageway situated over the aisle of a church and opening onto the nave. Also called tribune2.
Lobby
To try to influence the thinking of legislators or other public officials for or against a specific cause
Lobbying for stronger environmental safeguards.
Lobbied against the proliferation of nuclear arms.
Gallery
Southwestern Gulf States See veranda.
Lobby
To try to influence public officials on behalf of or against (proposed legislation, for example)
Lobbied the bill through Congress.
Lobbied the bill to a negative vote.
Gallery
An upper section, often with a sloping floor, projecting from the rear or side walls of a theater or an auditorium to provide additional seating.
Lobby
To try to influence (an official) to take a desired action.
Gallery
The seats in such a section, usually cheaper than those on the main floor.
Lobby
An entryway or reception area; vestibule; passageway; corridor.
I had to wait in the lobby for hours before seeing the doctor.
Gallery
The cheapest seats in a theater, generally those of the uppermost gallery.
Lobby
That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly.
Gallery
The audience occupying a gallery or cheap section of a theater.
Lobby
(politics) A class or group of interested people who try to influence public officials; collectively, lobbyists.
The influence of the tobacco lobby has decreased considerably in the US.
Gallery
A large audience or group of spectators, as at a tennis or golf match.
Lobby
(video games) A virtual area where players can chat and find opponents for a game.
Gallery
The general public, usually considered as exemplifying a lack of discrimination or sophistication
Accused the administration of playing to the gallery on the defense issue.
Lobby
(nautical) An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck.
Gallery
A building, room, or website for the exhibition of artistic work.
Lobby
A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges, trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard.
Gallery
An establishment that displays and sells works of art.
Lobby
A margin along either side of the playing field in the sport of kabaddi.
Gallery
A photographer's studio.
Lobby
(when preceded by "elevator") A waiting area in front of a bank of elevators.
Gallery
A collection; an assortment
The trial featured a gallery of famous and flamboyant witnesses.
Lobby
(West Midlands) lobscouse
My mam cooked us lobby for tea last night.
Gallery
An underground tunnel or passageway, as in a cave or one dug for military or mining purposes.
Lobby
To attempt to influence (a public official or decision-maker) in favor of a specific opinion or cause.
For years, pro-life groups have continued to lobby hard for restrictions on abortion.
Gallery
A tunnel or series of tunnels made by an animal.
Lobby
A passage or hall of communication, especially when large enough to serve also as a waiting room. It differs from an antechamber in that a lobby communicates between several rooms, an antechamber to one only; but this distinction is not carefully preserved.
Gallery
(Nautical) A platform or balcony at the stern or quarters of some early sailing ships.
Lobby
That part of a hall of legislation not appropriated to the official use of the assembly; hence, the persons, collectively, who frequent such a place to transact business with the legislators;
Gallery
A decorative upright trimming or molding along the edge of a table top, tray, or shelf.
Lobby
An apartment or passageway in the fore part of an old-fashioned cabin under the quarter-deck.
Gallery
An institution, building, or room for the exhibition and conservation of works of art.
Lobby
A confined place for cattle, formed by hedges. trees, or other fencing, near the farmyard.
Gallery
An establishment that buys, sells, and displays works of art.
Lobby
To address or solicit members of a legislative body in the lobby or elsewhere, with the purpose to influence their votes; in an extended sense, to try to influence decision-makers in any circumstance.
Gallery
The uppermost seating area projecting from the rear or side walls of a theater, concert hall, or auditorium.
Lobby
To urge the adoption or passage of by soliciting members of a legislative body; as, to lobby a bill; - also used with the legislators as object; as, to lobby the state legislatuire for protection.
Gallery
The spectators of an event, collectively.
Lobby
A large entrance or reception room or area
Gallery
(legal) The, often elevated and in the rear, part of a courtroom where seating for the public audience is facilitated during trial.
Lobby
A group of people who try actively to influence legislation
Gallery
A roofed promenade, especially one extending along the wall of a building and supported by arches or columns on the outer side
Lobby
Detain in conversation by or as if by holding on to the outer garments of; as for political or economic favors
Gallery
(computing) A browsable collection of images, font styles, etc.
A gallery of image thumbnails
A clip-art gallery in a wordprocessor
Lobby
Entrance hall in a building
Please wait in the lobby.
Gallery
(fortification) A covered passage cut through the earth or masonry.
Gallery
(mining) A level or drive in a mine.
Gallery
(automotive) A channel that carries engine oil to parts of the engine that need lubrication, such as the main bearings.
Gallery
(television) The production control room.
Gallery
A part of a monocle, a projection off the ring holding the lens, which helps secure the monocle in the eye socket.
Gallery
(entomology) The boring trails produced by an insector only beetles? in wood.
Beetle gallery
Gallery
(Trinidad and Tobago) To show off.
Gallery
A long and narrow corridor, or place for walking; a connecting passageway, as between one room and another; also, a long hole or passage excavated by a boring or burrowing animal.
Gallery
A room for the exhibition of works of art; as, a picture gallery; hence, also, a large or important collection of paintings, sculptures, etc.
Gallery
A long and narrow platform attached to one or more sides of public hall or the interior of a church, and supported by brackets or columns; - sometimes intended to be occupied by musicians or spectators, sometimes designed merely to increase the capacity of the hall.
Gallery
A frame, like a balcony, projecting from the stern or quarter of a ship, and hence called stern gallery or quarter gallery, - seldom found in vessels built since 1850.
Gallery
Any communication which is covered overhead as well as at the sides. When prepared for defense, it is a defensive gallery.
Gallery
A working drift or level.
Gallery
Spectators at a golf or tennis match
Gallery
A porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
Gallery
A room or series of rooms where works of art are exhibited
Gallery
A long usually narrow room used for some specific purpose;
Shooting gallery
Gallery
A covered corridor (especially one extending along the wall of a building and supported with arches or columns)
Gallery
Narrow recessed balcony area along an upper floor on the interior of a building; usually marked by a colonnade
Gallery
A horizontal (or nearly horizontal) passageway in a mine;
They dug a drift parallel with the vein
Gallery
Room for displaying artifacts
The gallery has a new exhibit on ancient Egypt.
Gallery
Tiered seating area
We sat in the gallery at the opera.
Gallery
Collection of images
The online gallery showcases her photography.
FAQs
What is a "lobby"?
A lobby is an entrance hall or waiting area in a building.
Can "lobby" be a verb?
Yes, "lobby" can also refer to the act of political advocacy.
Where can you find a "lobby"?
In hotels, offices, and legislative chambers, among other places.
What is a "gallery"?
A gallery is a space for displaying art or a tier of seats in a theater.
Is "gallery" ever a verb?
No, "gallery" is strictly a noun.
Can a "lobby" also be a "gallery"?
Sometimes, if artwork is displayed in a lobby.
Where can you find a "gallery"?
In art museums, theaters, and legislative chambers.
Is "lobby" used in a political context?
Yes, it can refer to political advocacy or an advocacy group.
Can a "gallery" also be a "lobby"?
Unlikely, as a gallery is primarily for displaying art or spectator seating.
Is "gallery" used in a political context?
Rarely, except as a spectator area in legislative chambers.
What is the main function of a "lobby"?
To serve as an entrance or waiting area.
What are some synonyms for "gallery"?
Exhibition space, art museum, viewing area.
Can "lobby" have multiple meanings?
Yes, it can refer to a physical space, an advocacy group, or the act of lobbying.
What is the main function of a "gallery"?
To exhibit art or provide spectator seating.
What are some synonyms for "lobby"?
Entrance hall, foyer, vestibule.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
