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 village is opposed to both the rate increase and the merger, Neitzke-Troike said, and is working with the Illinois attorney general’s office, lobbyists and state legislators to let their concerns be known. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026

Before becoming attorney general, Uthmeier solicited state lobbyists to donate to DeSantis’ 2024 presidential campaign while also working as the governor’s chief of staff, NBC News reported. — Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Last November, she was arrested by the FBI and charged along with McCluskie and lobbyist Greg Campbell. — Lia Russell july 7, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

The restriction bars the Defense Department from working with any company represented by lobbyists who also work for entities blacklisted by the Pentagon for allegedly aiding the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. — Kate O'Keeffe, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lobbyist

• hobbyist