Other

canvas

Syllabification: (can·vas)

Pronunciation: /ˈkanvəs/

Translate canvas | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of canvas

noun

a strong, coarse unbleached cloth made from hemp, flax, cotton, or a similar yarn, used to make items such as sails and tents and as a surface for oil painting: [as modifier]:a canvas bag
a piece of canvas cloth prepared for use as the surface for an oil painting.
an oil painting:Turner’s late canvases
a variety of canvas with an open weave, used as a basis for tapestry and embroidery.
(the canvas) the floor of a boxing or wrestling ring, having a canvas covering.
either of a racing boat’s tapering ends, originally covered with canvas.

verb (canvases, canvasing, canvased)

[with object] (usually be canvased)

cover with canvas:the door had been canvased over

Phrases

by a canvas: (in boat racing) by a small margin.
[referring to the tapered front end of a racing boat (see above)]
under canvas

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old Northern French canevas, based on Latin cannabis 'hemp', from Greek kannabis

Do not confuse canvas with canvass. Canvas means 'a type of strong cloth' (a canvas bag), whereas canvass means 'visit someone to seek their vote' (party workers canvassed 2,000 voters).

canvas in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of canvas in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

More words in this category

Subscriber login

Library card login

Other

canvas

noun

verb (canvases, canvasing, canvased)

Phrases

by a canvas

under canvas

Origin:

canvas in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for canvas

More words in this category

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Word of the day

logomachy