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.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's wardrobe is more than a statement of style; it has become known as a canvass for her political message of advancing women's and Indigenous rights.
From Barron's
After she was shot, investigators from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office and Pinetop Police Department secured the scene, acquired a search warrant and canvassed the neighborhood, Clouse said.
From Los Angeles Times
They have canvassed the trade market and laid potential groundwork for possible future moves.
From Los Angeles Times
The letter claimed the woman would “canvass the progress of The Gates Foundation Program in three African Nations” for Enhanced Education’s continued operations in Africa and that all her expenses were covered.
A consultation on the changes had canvassed views on capping costs at up to 30% above the face value of a ticket.
From BBC
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.
