canvass

American  

[kan-vuhs] / ˈkæn vəs /

verb (used with object)

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)

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

• 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

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

Canvass the other tenants in your apartment to talk about rent relief?

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2020

The Canvass undershot its mark, $50,000,000 for missions and home expenses, by $8,000,000.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mr. Anderson, most potent of Southern laymen, wished to know about the successful Yankee "Every Member Canvass" scheme.

From Time Magazine Archive

Canvass will concentrate pledges in two periods, Nov. 15-Dec.

From Time Magazine Archive

An Every Member Canvass for home and foreign missions is carried on throughout the whole parish.

From The Making of a Country Parish by Harlow S.

Related Words

• agitate
• consult
• inspect
• scrutinize
• solicit