Definition Definition

canvass - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'canvass' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Canvass [ n.]
- To sift; to strain; to examine thoroughly; to scrutinize; as, to canvass the votes cast at an election; to canvass a district with reference to its probable vote.
- To examine by discussion; to debate.
- To go trough, with personal solicitation or public addresses; as, to canvass a district for votes; to canvass a city for subscriptions.
- Close inspection; careful review for verification; as, a canvass of votes.
- Examination in the way of discussion or debate.
- Search; exploration; solicitation; systematic effort to obtain votes, subscribers, etc.
2 . Canvass [ v. i.]
- To search thoroughly; to engage in solicitation by traversing a district; as, to canvass for subscriptions or for votes; to canvass for a book, a publisher, or in behalf of a charity; -- commonly followed by for.

Meaning of 'canvass' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . canvass [ n]
Meaning (1):
- the mat that forms the floor of the ring in which boxers or professional wrestlers compete
Example in sentence:
  • the boxer picked himself up off the canvas
Meaning (2):
- the setting for a narrative or fictional or dramatic account
Example in sentence:
  • the crowded canvas of history;
  • the movie demanded a dramatic canvas of sound
3 . canvass [ v]
Meaning (3):
- consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
Example in sentence:
  • analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare;
  • analyze the evidence in a criminal trial;
  • analyze your real motives