canvass
verb/ˈkænvəs/
/ˈkænvəs/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they canvass | /ˈkænvəs/ /ˈkænvəs/ |
| he / she / it canvasses | /ˈkænvəsɪz/ /ˈkænvəsɪz/ |
| past simple canvassed | /ˈkænvəst/ /ˈkænvəst/ |
| past participle canvassed | /ˈkænvəst/ /ˈkænvəst/ |
| -ing form canvassing | /ˈkænvəsɪŋ/ /ˈkænvəsɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive, transitive] to ask people to support a particular person, political party, etc., either by going around an area and talking to people or by phoning them
- canvass (for something) He spent the whole month canvassing for votes.
- canvass somebody (for something) Party workers are busy canvassing local residents.
- [transitive] to ask people about something in order to find out what they think about it
- canvass something He has been canvassing opinion on the issue.
- canvass somebody (for something) People are being canvassed for their views on the proposed new road.
- [transitive] canvass support to try and get support from a group of people synonym drum up
- [transitive] canvass something to discuss an idea carefully and completely
- The proposal is currently being canvassed.
Word Originearly 16th cent. (‘toss in a canvas sheet’ (in the sense as a sport or punishment)): from canvas. Later extended senses include ‘criticize, discuss’ (mid 16th cent.) and ‘propose for discussion’; hence ‘seek support for’.
Check pronunciation:
canvass