Definition of canvass
canvassed
;canvassing
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 authenticityb : 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
canvasser
or less commonlycanvaser
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of canvass in a Sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of canvass
see 1canvas
First Known Use: 1508
Other Government and Politics Terms
canvass
canvas
Definition of canvass
: 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
Origin and Etymology of canvass
see 1canvas
First Known Use: circa 1611
CANVASS Defined for English Language Learners
canvass
playDefinition of canvass for English Language Learners
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: to ask (the people in an area) what they think about a candidate, project, idea, etc.
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: to talk to the people in an area in order to get them to support a candidate, project, idea, etc.
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: to look at or consider (something) carefully
CANVASS Defined for Kids
canvass
playDefinition of canvass for Students
canvassed
;canvassing
: to go to (people) to ask for votes, contributions, or orders for goods or to determine public opinion
canvasser
nounLaw Dictionary
canvass
Legal Definition of canvass
canvassed
alsocanvased
canvassing
alsocanvasing
transitive verb
1 a : to examine in detail; specifically : to examine (votes) officially for authenticity b : to make the subject of discussion or debate
2 : to go through (a district) or go to (persons) in order to solicit orders or political support or to determine opinions or sentiments
intransitive verb
: to seek or solicit orders or votes
Learn More about canvass
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for canvass Spanish Central: Translation of canvass Nglish: Translation of canvass for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of canvass for Arabic speakers
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