lobbyist

[ lob-ee-ist ]

noun

1. a person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest; a member of a lobby.

lobbyist

/ ˈlɒbɪɪst /

noun

1. a person employed by a particular interest to lobby

Derived Forms

• ˈlobbyˌism, noun

Other Words From

• lobby·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobbyist¹

First recorded in 1940–45; lobby + -ist

Example Sentences

The Maryland Fraternal Order of Police has mounted a telephone and email campaign to oppose repealing the bill of rights and, with its local lodges, has hired top lobbyists Frank Boston, Gerard Evans and John Stierhoff to assist.

From Washington Post

Bill Castelli, a lobbyist for Maryland Realtors, said he’s not against information to help property owners understand flood risks, but he is skeptical about where it comes from.

From Washington Post

He also represented Paula Parkinson, an insurance lobbyist who claimed to have had affairs with members of Congress, amid a Justice Department inquiry in the early 1980s examining whether her alleged paramours had exchanged votes for sexual favors.

From Washington Post

So across the country, lobbyists for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and medical practices were working the virtual corridors of power in the first weeks of the pandemic.

From ProPublica

A lot of lawyers and lobbyists will earn their retirements from this one.

From Fortune

Lobbyist Lloyd Hand, a former aide to Lyndon Johnson, flitted from conversation to conversation.

From The Daily Beast

Eric told me about a case with which a fellow lobbyist had to cope.

From The Daily Beast

But first I went to Washington to talk to a lobbyist friend.

From The Daily Beast

The term “lobbyist” supposedly was coined during the well-corrupted (and well-soaked) presidency of Ulysses S. Grant.

From The Daily Beast

I moved to Washington in 1988 with the folk etymology of lobbyist firmly in mind.

From The Daily Beast

I have been in the Legislature as a labor lobbyist for some years and I have had a little experience in such matters.

From Project Gutenberg

The fact was that he was a neophyte and, it was true, did not possess the qualities which make a successful lobbyist.

From Project Gutenberg

The successful lobbyist demands and receives for his services larger pay than the salary of congressmen.

From Project Gutenberg

George W. Ball was, for several years, a registered lobbyist in Washington, representing foreign commercial interests.

From Project Gutenberg

If that is your idea, I give you fair warning that I will oppose your claims with all the arts of the lobbyist.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• activist