canvass

verb

can·vass | \ ˈkan-vəs

variants: or less commonly canvas

canvassed; canvassing

Definition of canvass

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 obsolete : to toss in a canvas sheet in sport or punishment

2a : to examine in detail specifically : to examine (votes) officially for authenticity

b : discuss, debate canvassed all the items on the agenda

3 : to go through (a district) or go to (persons) in order to solicit orders or political support or to determine opinions or sentiments canvass voters canvassed the neighborhood to solicit magazine subscriptions

intransitive verb

: to seek orders or votes : solicit was canvassing for a seat in Congress

canvass

noun

variants: or less commonly canvas

Definition of canvass (Entry 2 of 2)

: the act or an instance of canvassing especially : a personal solicitation of votes or survey of public opinion a house-to-house canvass to ascertain the vote before the election

Other Words from canvass Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about canvass

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Synonyms for canvass

Synonyms: Verb

interview, poll, solicit, survey

Examples of canvass in a Sentence

Verb

A team of volunteers is canvassing the city for the Republican Party. We go to every house to canvass voters. She is canvassing for one of the presidential candidates this year. The group has been canvassing neighborhoods to ask people to vote for him. The company canvassed several sites for a new factory.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

More surprisingly, Democratic politicians like New York state senators Jessica Ramos and Julia Salazar have listened to them, canvassed with them, and even promised to introduce laws to decriminalize prostitution. — Molly Crabapple, The New York Review of Books, "It’s Not About Sex," 23 May 2019 Many employees were considering leaving, and some senior managers questioned Mr. Yusupov’s truthfulness, according to people familiar with a report the executive coach shared with board members after canvassing the office. — Yoree Koh, WSJ, "The Tech Whiz Behind Vine and HQ Trivia Made Millions in His 20s. He Was Dead by 34.," 15 Feb. 2019 Caskey said state law prevents county officials from canvassing their results until Monday. — Fox News, "The Latest: Michigan Dem challenges 'biggest bully' _ Trump," 9 Aug. 2018 Homicide detectives began canvassing the area for witnesses, police said. — Emma Kate Fittes, Indianapolis Star, "Body found by passerby in a wooded area in Indianapolis, police say," 29 Apr. 2018 Investigators spent Tuesday interviewing people and canvassing the area for surveillance cameras that could provide clues as to when the car arrived, and who was driving it. — Alene Tchekmedyian, latimes.com, "Investigators looking into whether 3 bodies found in Burbank are linked to missing Bakersfield-area men," 18 Apr. 2018 Hanson took students to peace rallies and demonstrations, exposed them to social programs for kids in Hartford, talked about women’s liberation and had his students canvass working class neighborhoods in nearby Putnam. — Anne M. Hamilton, courant.com, "Extraordinary Life: A Passion For Women's Rights, Social Justice," 1 July 2018 That was the beginning of Termination for Medical Reasons, a support group and campaign organization that now includes upward of 50 women, as well as their partners, who lobby politicians, speak at events and canvass neighborhoods. — Isaac Stanley-becker, Washington Post, "How an Irish-American woman’s legal case helped spur Ireland’s abortion referendum," 17 May 2018 He and his staff are expected to canvass events across the country following players IU fans know well, and looking for new faces to fill out their board for the fall. — Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: IU basketball's 5 primary targets for 2019 recruiting class," 9 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The former move was presumed — Okpala is projected for the first round — but Ryan’s departure adds a touch of dark gray to a somewhat gloomy canvass. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, "Stock report: On USC football momentum, Stanford basketball personnel hits, Pac-12 bowl partners and more," 7 June 2019 From there, the video trail petered out and a canvass of the area led nowhere, Cmdr. — Erin Ailworth, WSJ, "Inside the Detective Work on the Jussie Smollett Case," 21 Feb. 2019 Board of Elections staffers counted 214 provisional ballots during the second of three post-election day canvasses Thursday morning. — David Anderson, The Aegis, "Leaders in 2018 Harford races remain there after provisional ballot canvass Thurs.," 5 July 2018 Politicians must ask permission of gangs to hold rallies or canvass in many neighborhoods, law-enforcement officials and prosecutors said. — Robbie Whelan, WSJ, "Why Are People Fleeing Central America? A New Breed of Gangs Is Taking Over.," 2 Nov. 2018 Juliana Vallejo of Falls Church, Va.,creates big abstract expressionistic canvasses filled with bold hues. — Mary Carole Mccauley, baltimoresun.com, "Art exhibit in Pigtown humanizes female sex workers and drug addicts," 6 July 2018 The digital address canvass offers a glimpse into how and where the country is changing. — Paul Overberg, WSJ, "For Next U.S. Census, Cameras in Space Replace Boots on the Ground," 10 Oct. 2018 Results will be considered official after a state canvass; even then, there could be legal challenges. — Nicole Darrah, Fox News, "Trump-backed Kris Kobach claims 'tentative victory' in Kansas primary, ahead by slim margin," 8 Aug. 2018 That usually takes a few weeks through a process known as the canvass, in which each vote is counted and verified, then officially certified, first by the local counties and then by the secretary of state or state Board of Elections. — Jen Kirby, Vox, "Why it takes so long to get election night results," 6 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'canvass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.