lobbyist
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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.
Lobbyist Manuel Espina, a past ambassador from Guatemala to the U.S., was there.
From Salon • May 29, 2026
Lobbyist and consultant Kevin Sloat said he and Zaremberg were good friends for nearly 35 years and each other’s sounding board.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2023
Lobbyist Mike Willden's name doesn't appear on the list of people Lombardo appointed to his transition team as he takes the reins from former Gov. Steve Sisolak.
From Salon • Jan. 25, 2023
Lobbyist John Kaul is a documentary filmmaker whose latest project is a film celebrating the 50th anniversary of the riverway.
From Washington Times • Jun. 9, 2018
What a newspaper story she would make—"Society Favorite a Paid Spy"; "Woman Lobbyist Flees Capital."
From A Gentleman from Mississippi by Rhodes, Harrison
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.
