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

In testimony that was submitted to lawmakers ahead of a public hearing on the bill Monday, however, a lobbyist for the state’s largest trade association raised concerns. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2025

Blake Johnson, a lobbyist for the southeast Minnesota tribe, acknowledged the role of nuclear energy in producing carbon-free electricity for the state, but said the community needs more assurance it is protected from expansion of nuclear power. —Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 14 Mar. 2025

There will still be lobbyists raking in six-figure contracts. —Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2025

Matthews will continue to pay a lobbyist to advocate against a plan to overhaul the Charlotte region’s transportation system despite a heated and, at times, personal debate over the contract. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lobbyist

• hobbyist