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 British Museum has not responded to requests for comment from ARTnews regarding the investigation’s findings or allegations of political interference from Israeli lobbyists. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 16 July 2026

California Forever’s chief lobbyist firm, Axiom Advisors, has deep ties to his administration dating back to Newsom’s time as a San Francisco city supervisor and later mayor. — Lia Russell july 16, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

The speedway is also a member of the North Carolina Motorsports Association, which has employed a lobbyist each year since 2011. — Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

Let’s demand our politicians provide more support for renewable energy since their point of view appears to be clouded by fossil fuel lobbyists and a stunted vision for the future. — Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lobbyist

• hobbyist