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

And Zuckerberg promoted Joel Kaplan, a Republican lobbyist, to head the company's global affairs. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 29 Jan. 2025

Her husband, Jefferson City lobbyist Jay Hahn, worked as a lobbyist for Missouri American Water until May 31, 2023 — one day before she was appointed to the commission. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025

The annual event draws lobbyists, politicians, business execs and socialites. —Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 27 Jan. 2025

Image An email obtained by The Times shows that one committee leader, Representative Sharon Wylie, a supporter of the industry, shared a draft of the bill with a cannabis lobbyist. —Katie J.m. Baker, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above