canvass

1 of 3

verb

can·​vass ˈkan-vəs 

variants or less commonly canvas

canvassed; canvassing

transitive verb

1

: 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

2

a

: to examine in detail

specifically : to examine (votes) officially for authenticity

b

: discuss, debate

canvassed all the items on the agenda

3

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

intransitive verb

: to seek orders or votes : solicit

was canvassing for a seat in Congress

canvasser noun

or less commonly canvaser

canvass

2 of 3

noun (1)

variants or less commonly canvas

: 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

canvasser

3 of 3

noun (2)

can·​vass·​er

ˈkan-və-sər

plural -s

: one that canvasses: such as

a

: one that takes or counts votes

b

: a solicitor especially for funds or subscriptions : a campaign worker

c

: a door-to-door salesperson

Synonyms of canvass

Verb

• survey
• interview

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

The two have instead focused more on canvassing and get-out-the-vote efforts. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026

Emery Sheriff’s job consists of standing outside and talking to people passing by, fundraising and canvassing for her company’s organization. — Nicole Pilsbury, Baltimore Sun, 16 July 2026

Noun

During the canvass last month, it was confirmed that five provisional ballots did not change the outcome of runoff results. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 July 2026

Counts from non-provisional ballots cast in-person during early voting and on election day and from jurisdictions’ first mail-in canvasses are complete. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

see canvas entry 1

Noun (1)

see canvas entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Noun (1)

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for canvass

• canvas

Kids Definition

canvass

1 of 2 verb

can·​vass ˈkan-vəs 

: to go through (a district) or go to (people) to ask for votes, contributions, or orders or to determine public opinion

canvasser noun

canvass

2 of 2 noun

: an act of canvassing

Legal Definition

canvass

verb

can·​vass

variants also canvas

ˈkan-vəs 

canvassed also canvased; canvassing also canvasing

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