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canvass

[ kan-vuhs ]
/ ˈkæn vəs /
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See synonyms for: canvass / canvassing / canvasser on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
to solicit votes, subscriptions, opinions, or the like from.
to examine carefully; investigate by inquiry; discuss; debate.
verb (used without object)
to solicit votes, opinions, or the like.
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.
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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

OTHER WORDS FROM canvass

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH canvass

canvas, canvass
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to canvass

agitate, consult, inspect, scrutinize, solicit, analyze, apply, argue, campaign, check, debate, dispute, electioneer, examine, investigate, review, run, scan, sift, study

How to use canvass in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for canvass

canvass
/ (ˈkænvəs) /
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
mainly US to inspect (votes) officially to determine their validity
noun
a solicitation of opinions, votes, sales orders, etc
close inspection; scrutiny

Derived forms of canvass

canvasser, nouncanvassing, noun

Word Origin for canvass

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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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