canvass

[kan-vuhs]

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

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of canvass¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of canvass¹

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

Example Sentences

Rand’s researchers, who canvass the three neighborhoods every two months, found that the shortfalls coincide with an increase in the percentage of people “sleeping rough,” without the protection of a vehicle or tent.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the 1970s, when Bunker moved to Maine, he canvassed old-timers for the names of the apples growing near his Palermo homestead.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Less widely known is that the magazine canvassed skeptics who cautioned that AGI was more likely to take 15 years.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The police have never canvassed this area in detail even though they had a confession.

Read more on BBC

On Thursday, as federal agents canvassed a neighborhood near Utah Valley University, where Kirk was speaking when he was hit in the neck with a single bullet, some residents offered them water.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitate 
• consult 
• inspect 
• scrutinize 
• solicit