canvas

Pronunciation: /ˈkanvəs/

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Definition of canvas

noun

[mass noun] (plural canvases or canvasses)

a strong, coarse unbleached cloth made from hemp, flax, or a similar yarn, used to make items such as sails and tents and as a surface for oil painting: the painting is oil on canvas [as modifier]:a canvas bag
[count noun] a piece of canvas prepared for use as the surface for an oil painting: they found a canvas and he seated his model he is used to painting large canvases
[count noun] an oil painting:Turner’s late canvases
a variety of canvas with an open weave, used as a basis for tapestry and embroidery:she sent her needle stabbing in and out of the canvas
(the canvas) the canvas-covered floor of a boxing or wrestling ring: a thunderous uppercut sent him crashing to the canvas
[count noun] either of a racing boat’s tapering ends, originally covered with canvas.

verb (canvases, canvassing, canvassed; US canvases, canvasing, canvased)

[with object]

cover with canvas:the door had been canvassed over

Phrases

by a canvas: (in boat racing) by a very small margin.
under canvas

Origin:

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

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 US English dictionary

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Other

canvas

noun

verb (canvases, canvassing, canvassed; US canvases, canvasing, canvased)

Phrases

by a canvas

under canvas

Origin:

canvas in other Oxford dictionaries

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