What does "canvass" mean?
A seeking or solicitation of donations, information, opinions, support, etc.
Canvass
/ˈkænvəs/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A seeking or solicitation of donations, information, opinions, support, etc.
- Grammar: canvass is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: opinion poll, poll, address, addresses.
- Useful contrasts: avoid, conceal, discard.
- Usage evidence: Nowadays, candidates don't often canvass neighborhoods.
How to use "canvass"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "canvass" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "canvass" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "canvass" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "canvass" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A seeking or solicitation of donations, information, opinions, support, etc. countable
"It is a wonder to ſee how ſlauiſhly theſe kinde of [ambitious] men will ſubiect themſelues, vvhen they are about a canvas, to euery inferiour perſon, vvhat paines they vvill take, runne, ride, caſt, plot & countermine, proteſt & ſvveare, vow, promiſe, vvhat labours vndergoe, earely vp, dovvne late; […]"
- 2 Obsolete spelling of canvas. alt-of, countable, obsolete, uncountable
"The double desire of being able to overtake a weaker flying enemy, or to escape when pursued by a stronger, has induced the owners to overmast their cruisers, and to spread too much canvass; and the great number of men, many of them not seamen, who being upon deck when a ship heels suddenly are huddled down to leeward, and increase by their weight the effect of the wind."
- 3 a heavy, closely woven fabric wordnet
- 4 A seeking or solicitation, or determination, of support or favourable votes in a forthcoming election or poll. countable, specifically
"And certainly, there is great difference, betvveen a Cunning Man, and a Wiſe Man; Not onely in Point of Honeſty, but in point of Ability. There be that can packe the Cards, and yet cannot play vvell; So there are ſome, that are good in Canuaſſes, and Factions, that are othervviſe VVeake Men."
- 5 the mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete wordnet
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 A scrutiny of the votes cast in an election to reject irregular votes; also, a tally, audit, and certification of votes. US, countable
"Elections officials [in California] have approximately one month (28 days for presidential electors and 30 days for all other contests) to complete their extensive tallying, auditing, and certification work (known as the ‘official canvass’). Most notably, voting by mail has increased significantly in recent years and many vote-by-mail ballots arrive on, or up to three days after, Election Day (vote-by-mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by the county elections official no later than three days after the election are included in the canvass)."
- 7 an oil painting on canvas fabric wordnet
- 8 A thorough discussion or investigation. (Possibly; the meaning is unclear.) countable, obsolete
"[…] I haue learned this faſhion of Sᵗ. Hierome the Oracle of Antiquitie, vvho vvas vvont to entertaine his Paula, and Euſtochium, Marcella, Principia, Hedibia, and other deuout Ladies, vvith learned canuaſes of the deep pointes of Diuinity."
- 9 a tent made of canvas fabric wordnet
- 10 Rejection (at an election, of a suit, etc.). obsolete, uncountable
"But vvhy ſhouldſt thou take thy Canvas ſo to heart? It may bee thou art not fit. But as a childe that vveares his fathers ſhooes, hat, headpeece, breſtplate, or breeches; or holds his ſpeare, but is nether able to vveild the one, or vveare the other; ſo vvouldſt thou doe by ſuch an office or Magiſtracy, thou art vnfit."
- 11 a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel wordnet
- 12 an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people wordnet
- 13 the setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account wordnet
Verb
- 1 To thoroughly examine or investigate (something) physically or by discussion; to debate, to gather opinion, to scrutinize. figuratively, transitive
"And with the aunſwere here vpon eftſoones in hand they go, / The doubtfull wordes wherof they ſcan and canuas to and fro."
- 2 consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning wordnet
- 3 To scrutinize (the ballot in an election or the votes cast) and reject irregular votes; also, to challenge or dispute (an election result). Philippines, broadly, figuratively, transitive
"The poll was cloſed when the Court thought they had the majority: But upon caſting it up it appeared they had loſt it: So they fell to canvaſs it: And they made ſuch exceptions to thoſe of the other ſide, that they diſcounted as many voices as gave them the majority."
- 4 get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions wordnet
- 5 To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc. from (people or a place) figuratively, transitive
"The police are canvassing the neighbourhood for information about the missing child."
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 solicit votes from potential voters in an electoral campaign wordnet
- 7 To seek the support of (voters or a constituency) in a forthcoming election or poll through personal solicitation or public addresses. figuratively, specifically, transitive
"The electoral candidate canvassed the district for votes."
- 8 To toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet for fun or as a punishment; to blanket. obsolete, transitive
"Thou that giu'ſt VVhores Indulgences to ſinne, / Ile canuas thee in thy broad Cardinalls Hat, / If thou proceed in this thy inſolence."
- 9 To batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something). broadly, obsolete, transitive
"But nowe the Meſſenger that was thus ſent to the Lorde Hume [Alexander Home, 5th Lord Home], comming to him declared in what caſe hys houſe and people ſtoode, who beeing (as was ſuppoſed) not ſo farre off, but that he might heare howe luſtily the Engliſhe Canons did canuas and batter his Humiſhe Caſtell Walles, did nowe agree to meete the Marshall maiſter Drurie [William Drury] two myles diſtant from the ſayde Caſtell, and there to common further with him in that matter."
- 10 To assail or attack (someone or something). broadly, obsolete, transitive
- 11 To severely criticize (a person, a written work, etc.). broadly, obsolete, transitive
"So voluntarily, so freely, so coolly to canvass it!"
- 12 To debate, to discuss. intransitive
"I pulled down to Mr. Turnbull's, and told him my good and bad fortune. It being late, he ordered me some dinner in his study, and we sat there canvassing over the affair."
- 13 To seek or solicit donations, information, opinions, support, etc.; to conduct a survey. intransitive
"[T]o saile surely in the deepe sea of divine Philosophie, wee ought to take wary heede to flie, more then Scylla and Charibdis, the Conversation of men, as they did not only getting themselves out of the prease of people, but setting light by, and refusing the government of common weales, and those chief honours and offices which ambitious men goe all day long with great labour and are canuassing and crauing for"
- 14 To seek the support of voters or a constituency in a forthcoming election or poll; to campaign. intransitive, specifically
"[H]e endeavoured by his Agents to be choſe a Burgeſs for the Univerſity of Oxon, to ſerve in that Parliament vvhich began at VVeſtm[inster] 25 Apr. 1660, as at one or tvvo places beſides, vvhere he had canvas'd for votes; […]"
Example
"Nowadays, candidates don't often canvass neighborhoods."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "canvass"?
Common synonyms include: opinion poll, poll, address, addresses, agitate, air.
How do you use "canvass" in a sentence?
Nowadays, candidates don't often canvass neighborhoods.
How do you pronounce "canvass"?
Pronounced /ˈkænvəs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
The verb is derived from canvas (“type of coarse cloth woven from hemp”). The connection between “to toss (someone) in a (canvas) sheet; (by extension) to batter, beat, or thrash (someone or something); etc.” and “to seek the support of voters or a constituency in a forthcoming election or poll” is not entirely clear. The noun is derived from the verb. It has been suggested that noun sense 4.2 (“rejection (at an election, of a suit, etc.)”) may refer to the canvas bag used by journeymen mechanics which they used to pack up their tools after they had completed their jobs, in which case it is not derived from the verb but directly from canvas (noun).
Etymology 2
A variant of canvas (noun).