Showing results for "canvassing"

• present participle of canvass.

canvassing

American  

[kan-vuh-sing] / ˈkæn və sɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of soliciting votes, subscriptions, opinions, etc., especially from individuals.

   Although social media definitely impacted their campaign, it was the door-to-door canvassing that made them successful.

2. the act or process of examining or investigating something carefully, often through debate or discussion.

   As we can see from even a limited canvassing of the issues in education, the challenges we face at this time come from within and without.

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Etymology

Origin of canvassing

canvass ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

canvassing

Long before the Supreme Court handed down the landmark Obergefell ruling on equal marriage in 2015, activists were canvassing door to door, courting any lawmaker who would listen, and losing at the local level—a lot.

From Slate ● Aug. 1, 2026

The group is expected to focus on door-to-door canvassing, digital advertising and direct mail aimed at mobilizing conservative voters who are less likely to participate in non-presidential elections.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood for evidence and reviewing surveillance footage.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026

They had reached out to their local and state Democratic Party organizations asking how they might help — maybe doorknocking, or canvassing — but had not gotten a response.

From Salon ● Mar. 28, 2026

Quickly canvassing the room, they come up with the first solid leads about Lincoln’s murder.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly