lobbyist

noun

lob·​by·​ist ˈlä-bē-ist 

plural lobbyists

: one who conducts activities aimed at influencing or swaying public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation : a person engaged in lobbying public officials

The new rule says that if you were a registered lobbyist in the past two years, you can't work for the administration on any issue you touched. After you leave government, you can't lobby the administration at all.

—Jacob Weisberg

Because so many lobbyists have past experience on Capitol Hill, they usually have personal ties both to members of congress and to their key staffers, who vet and prioritize the earmark requests.

—Ken Silverstein

Examples of lobbyist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ruling also stands in stark contrast to the decision earlier this month by a different 7th Circuit panel, which abruptly reversed the May 2023 convictions of former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and lobbyist Michael McClain, who were accused of orchestrating the plot to bribe the speaker. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Tech lobbyists argue otherwise, and vehemently. —Parmy Olson, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026

Their office of nearly 500 people certifies candidates and ballot measures, maintains a statewide voter registration database and oversees campaign finance and lobbyist disclosures. —Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026

As editor of the Advocate and the Chronicle, Dollison expressed concern with railroad lobbyist influence within the Democratic Party. —Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lobbyist

• hobbyist