lobbyist
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- lobbyism noun
Etymology
Origin of lobbyist
Explanation
A lobbyist is someone hired by a business or a cause to persuade legislators to support that business or cause. Lobbyists get paid to win favor from politicians. For example, oil companies send lobbyists to Washington to try to make life easier for oil companies. Sometimes they do it by making a great case for their cause, but often it involves fancy dinners and golf outings. If that sounds kind of shady, it is. But remember that women's rights groups and cancer research foundations have lobbyists, too — it's just one way to get your voice heard on the Hill.
Vocabulary lists containing lobbyist
100 Top "SAT" Words
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U.S. Government Lingo
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Vocabulary from President Trump's First Address to Congress
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Asked for a response to those audits, the lobbyist from San Diego Gas & Electric told the committee he wasn’t familiar with the findings.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
Taylor, 39, is listed as a "lobbyist" on Reid's list of registered interests.
From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026
DiBella most recently worked as a consultant and lobbyist.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026
Arden Strategies, owned by MP turned lobbyist Jim Murphy, is hosting a "Future of Tech Summit" in London in July claiming attendees will be able to watch a "fireside chat" with Science Secretary Liz Kendall.
From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026
One was a lawyer and lobbyist from the state capital of Columbus.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
