canvass

[ kan-vuhs ]
See synonyms for canvass on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to solicit votes, subscriptions, opinions, or the like from.

  2. to examine carefully; investigate by inquiry; discuss; debate.

verb (used without object)
  1. to solicit votes, opinions, or the like.

noun
  1. a soliciting of votes, orders, or the like.

  2. a campaign for election to government office.

  1. close inspection; scrutiny: the official canvass of election results.

Origin of canvass

1
First recorded in 1500–10; originally a spelling variant of canvas, as a verb; the sense “discuss” apparently a development of the earlier senses “toss in a canvas sheet,” and “harshly criticize”; the sense “solicit votes” is obscurely derived

Other words for canvass

Other words from canvass

  • can·vass·er, noun
  • pre·can·vass, verb (used with object), noun
  • un·can·vassed, adjective
  • un·der·can·vass, verb
  • well-can·vassed, adjective

Words that may be confused with canvass

Words Nearby canvass

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use canvass in a sentence

  • My sentiments are neither divine oracles nor theological opinions which it is not permitted to canvass.

    Letters To Eugenia | Paul Henri Thiry Holbach
  • In the canvass of 1896 Mr. McKinley announced that he would make no electioneering tour.

  • But Mr Ferguson was not a sailor, or he would have known that it is the custom to reduce the grace in proportion with the canvass.

    Newton Forster | Captain Frederick Marryat
  • canvass of the local trucking industry brought to light the conveyor of that elegant article of furniture.

    Average Jones | Samuel Hopkins Adams

British Dictionary definitions for canvass

canvass

/ (ˈkænvəs) /


verb
  1. to solicit votes, orders, advertising, etc, from

  2. to determine the feelings and opinions of (voters before an election, etc), esp by conducting a survey

  1. to investigate (something) thoroughly, esp by discussion or debate

  2. mainly US to inspect (votes) officially to determine their validity

noun
  1. a solicitation of opinions, votes, sales orders, etc

  2. close inspection; scrutiny

Origin of canvass

1
C16: probably from obsolete sense of canvas (to toss someone in a canvas sheet, hence, to harass, criticize); the development of current senses is unexplained

Derived forms of canvass

  • canvasser, noun
  • canvassing, noun

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