From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishCabinet Office Briefing RoomsCabinet Office Briefing Rooms // (abbreviation COBR) a group of offices in a secret place somewhere in Whitehall, London which are used if there is a serious national or regional emergency. They contain communication equipment, such as telephones and computers, which would allow the prime minister and other important people such as government officials to get information about the event, and to communicate with the emergency services. It is also known as COBRA because the meetings of the Civil Contingencies Committee take place in Conference Room A.
