lobbyist

noun

lob·​by·​ist ˈlä-bē-ist How to pronounce lobbyist (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lawmakers should stand with the public, not corporate lobbyists, and slam the brakes on this reckless proposal. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025 The book traces Jacobs’s career from entrepreneur to lobbyist, catalyzed by a series of serious health events that led him to integrate yoga, meditation, and mindfulness into his daily life and professional approach. Forbes Books Press Release Official, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 For decades, the public has not paid attention to these institutions; this has empowered some utilities and their lobbyists to stymie attempts at reform. Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025 The suite, which was paid for in part by a lobbyist using money from a wealthy couple who later received the commissioner’s support on a land deal, is a focal point in prosecutors’ charges. Joey Flechas, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lobbyist

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lobbyist was in 1842

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Cite this Entry

“Lobbyist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lobbyist. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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