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 vote to put Barreto, 67, an influential Miami-Dade developer and lobbyist, back in charge of the FWC passed 31 to 7. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025

While not as well known as the chief lobbyist for gun owners, the National Rifle Association, the NSSF is respected and influential in business, political and gun-rights communities. —Corey G. Johnson, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 2025

Dozens of representatives from all of the major entertainment industry unions trekked to Sacramento to support the legislation, as did studio executives, their lobbyists and the Motion Picture Assn. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025

When hearings and meetings at the Commission are scheduled, developers and their lobbyists receive unlimited time to address commissioners directly at every session, and are afforded ample opportunity to woo them into approving substantial alterations or, in some instances, complete demolitions. —Michael S. Hiller, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lobbyist

• hobbyist