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 watchdog alleges that the contribution violated a state law prohibiting donations from lobbyists, political committees or corporations during the session. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

That same day, the CAP members were encouraged by their leaders, not to mention their lobbyists at Venable LLP, to share their personal stories with representatives. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

But when lobbyists and politicians made significant changes to the convention’s recommendations, many participants were left feeling disappointed and sidelined. — Esther King, The Dial, 15 Sep. 2026

The report highlighted how lobbyists and brokers are charging felons up to millions of dollars to sidestep the traditional Justice Department clemency process, using insider access and social media influencers to push presidential pardons. — Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lobbyist

• hobbyist