canvass
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to solicit votes, subscriptions, opinions, or the like from.
-
to examine carefully; investigate by inquiry; discuss; debate.
- Synonyms:
- explore, scrutinize, analyze
verb (used without object)
noun
-
a soliciting of votes, orders, or the like.
-
a campaign for election to government office.
-
close inspection; scrutiny.
the official canvass of election results.
verb
-
to solicit votes, orders, advertising, etc, from
-
to determine the feelings and opinions of (voters before an election, etc), esp by conducting a survey
-
to investigate (something) thoroughly, esp by discussion or debate
-
to inspect (votes) officially to determine their validity
noun
-
a solicitation of opinions, votes, sales orders, etc
-
close inspection; scrutiny
Other Word Forms
- canvasser noun
- canvassing noun
- precanvass verb (used with object)
- uncanvassed adjective
- undercanvass verb
- well-canvassed adjective
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
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.
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
She said roughly 20 members have canvassed the area, from downtown homeless encampments to a rocky wash near Guthrie’s home, searching for signs of the missing woman.
Several were summoned to see owner Marinakis after the Wolves draw, with opinions also canvassed following Friday's 3-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Leeds.
From BBC
Once officers canvassed the community with Pratt’s drawing, someone—the killer’s wife, as Pratt often recalled it—recognized the man and turned him in.
"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
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.
