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Synonyms

lobbyist

American  
[lob-ee-ist] / ˈlɒb i ɪst /

noun

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


lobbyist British  
/ ˈlɒbɪɪst /

noun

  1. a person employed by a particular interest to lobby

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • lobbyism noun

Etymology

Origin of lobbyist

First recorded in 1940–45; lobby + -ist

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing lobbyist

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