# lobbying

/ˈɫɑbiɪŋ/ (US) · /lˈɒbɪɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lobbying
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. influencing government

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the activity of talking to politicians or officials to persuade them to support a specific cause or law.

For teachers: the organised process of influencing legislative or administrative decisions by individuals or interest groups.

- The company spent a lot of money on lobbying to stop the new tax law.
- Environmental groups have increased their lobbying efforts in the capital, hoping to secure stricter regulations on industrial carbon emissions.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'for' or 'against' a specific policy.

Teaching tip: While often used neutrally in political science, in general conversation it can carry a negative connotation of unfair influence.

## Examples

- The group is lobbying for better protection of the local forests.
- After months of intense lobbying by tech companies, the government decided to delay the new data privacy law.
- Effective lobbying requires a sophisticated understanding of the legislative calendar and the ability to present complex economic data as a benefit to the politician's own constituents.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.