canvass

American  

[kan-vuhs] / ˈkæn vəs /

verb (used with object)

canvasses, present (3rd person singular) canvassed, past participle, past canvassing present participle

1. to solicit votes, subscriptions, opinions, or the like from.

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

   Synonyms:

   explore, scrutinize, analyze

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verb (used without object)

canvasses, present (3rd person singular) canvassed, past participle, past canvassing present participle

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.

3. close inspection; scrutiny.

   the official canvass of election results.

canvass British  

/ 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

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

4. to inspect (votes) officially to determine their validity

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noun

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

2. close inspection; scrutiny

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• canvassing
  noun
• uncanvassed
  adjective
• precanvass
  verb (used with object)
• undercanvass
  verb
• canvasser
  noun
• well-canvassed
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has canvassed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have canvassed
  perfect
• has been canvassing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are canvassing
  progressive
• is canvassing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• canvasses
  singular 3rd person
• am canvassing
  progressive 1st person singular
• canvassing
  participle
• have been canvassing
  perfect progressive

Past

• had canvassed
  perfect
• were canvassing
  progressive plural
• canvassed
  simple
• had been canvassing
  perfect progressive
• canvassed
  participle
• was canvassing
  progressive singular

Future

• will canvass
  simple
• will have canvassed
  perfect
• will be canvassing
  progressive
• will have been canvassing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of canvass

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

Explanation

A canvass is a poll, usually a political one. Around elections, political parties often canvass particular neighborhoods, looking for votes and trying to measure the pulse of the people. You might think of canvass as the heavy cotton cloth that is pronounced the same although spelled with only one s, that is, canvas. Canvas is used to cover things, and a canvass serves the same sort of purpose. Before elections, politicians want to cover their neighborhoods and districts with canvasses, campaign workers, flyers and the like in hopes of securing votes.

Example Sentences

His intention to canvass voters in Makerfield, in Greater Manchester, is unexpected given Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership, should he become an MP.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Players planned to canvass their peers scattered across spring training camps, then meet again Wednesday, with the possibility of voting on a new executive director then.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

"I am going door to door," BNP candidate S.M Zilany, 57, told AFP, saying many would-be voters had never had a candidate canvass for their backing.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

Unlike other federal courts, Pryor took the time to canvass the historical record.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2025

The junior members of the Housewives’ League are mentored and taught how to canvass and sign up new members.

From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson

Related Words

• agitate
• consult
• inspect
• scrutinize
• solicit