Definition of 'canvass'

Word Frequency

canvass

(kænvəs )

Word forms: canvasses, canvassing, canvassed

1. intransitive verb

If you canvass for a particular person or political party, you go around an area trying to persuade people to vote for that person or party.

I'm canvassing for the Republican Party.

Synonyms: campaign, solicit votes, electioneer More Synonyms of canvass

2. transitive verb

If you canvass public opinion, you find out how people feel about a particular subject.

Members of Congress are spending the weekend canvassing opinion in their constituencies.

Synonyms: poll, study, examine, investigate More Synonyms of canvass

More Synonyms of canvass

Video: pronunciation of
canvass

canvass in American English

(ˈkænvəs )

verb transitive

to examine or discuss in detail; look over carefully

to go through (places) or among (people) asking for (votes, opinions, orders, etc.)

verb intransitive

to try to get votes, orders, etc.; solicit

noun

the act of canvassing, esp. in an attempt to estimate the outcome of an election, sales campaign, etc.

Derived forms

canvasser (ˈcanvasser)

noun

Word origin

< canvas < ? use of canvas for sifting

Word Frequency

canvass in American English

(ˈkænvəs)

transitive verb

to solicit votes, subscriptions, opinions, or the like from

to examine carefully; investigate by inquiry; discuss; debate

intransitive verb

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

Derived forms

canvasser

noun

Word origin

[1500–10; orig. sp. var. of canvas, as a v.; sense “discuss” appar. development of the earlier senses “toss in a canvas sheet,” “harshly criticize”; sense “solicit votes” obscurely derived]

Word Frequency

canvass in British English

(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

4. mainly US

to inspect (votes) officially to determine their validity

noun

a solicitation of opinions, votes, sales orders, etc

close inspection; scrutiny

Derived forms

canvasser (ˈcanvasser)

noun

canvassing (ˈcanvassing)

noun

Word origin

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

Examples of 'canvass' in a sentence
canvass

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Wearing a camel coat he was canvassing voters as they went to cast their ballot.He has also canvassed for the party.His style is to be inclusive and he canvassed opinion from fellow senior players while talking individually to the squad.All nominations were considered and invitations were issued explaining the procedures and the extensive canvassing of staff views entailed in the process.The banks will canvass shareholders' opinions next week.He spoke to his bank manager, potential investors and friends to canvass opinions.It is now canvassing views on a raft of other reforms aimed at reducing costs and cutting the time it takes to conduct investigations.A day of canvassing often ends with a night of phone calls to solicit more support.They've been canvassing shareholders who think they should at least have an opportunity to look at an offer.Led by a police band, crowds of marching people will be canvassing support for this cause or that cause.