What does canvas mean?
Canvas is a plain-woven fabric of exceptional strength and durability, traditionally made from hemp or flax and now most commonly from cotton. Its toughness has made it indispensable for centuries: sails, tents, awnings, backpacks, and workwear have all relied on its resilience, while artists prize stretched canvas as the classic support for oil and acrylic painting. The name itself carries a surprise — it descends from the same root as 'cannabis', because early canvas was woven from hemp fibre. By extension, the word also denotes a finished painting on such a surface, and figuratively any broad background onto which ideas or events can be projected, as in 'a blank canvas'. Related idioms include 'under canvas', meaning accommodated in tents. Distinct from the noun, the separate verb 'canvass' refers to soliciting votes or opinions, though both words share the same historical origin.
A strong, coarse unbleached cloth made of hemp, flax, or cotton, used for sails, tents, bags, and as a surface for painting; also, a painting produced on this fabric.
"The sailors repaired the torn sail with heavy canvas."
Often used attributively before another noun (e.g., canvas bag, canvas shoes).
To solicit votes, orders, or opinions; strictly speaking this sense belongs to the spelling variant 'canvass', though the two forms share one etymology.
"Volunteers canvassed the neighbourhood ahead of the election."
Careful writers reserve the single-s spelling 'canvas' for the fabric and use 'canvass' for soliciting.
Refers to multiple pieces of fabric or, more often, multiple paintings on canvas.
"The gallery's back rooms held dozens of unstretched canvases."
The word 'canvas' literally comes from 'cannabis' — the sturdy cloth was originally woven from hemp.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of canvas
Canvas entered English in the medieval period from Anglo-Norman and Old French 'canevas', which derived ultimately from Latin 'cannabis', meaning hemp. The connection is literal: the earliest canvas was a coarse cloth woven from hemp fibres, prized for sails and tents because of its strength and resistance to rot. The related verb 'canvass' arose by extension, first meaning to toss or sift material, then to examine thoroughly, and later to solicit votes door to door. Cognates appear across European languages, all tracing back to the same Greek-derived Latin term for the hemp plant.
Related word forms
How canvas is actually used
Standard in both British and American English. As an adjective modifier it appears attributively ('canvas shoes', 'canvas tote'). Do not confuse with the verb 'to canvass'.
Easily confused with canvas
'Canvas' is the heavy fabric; 'canvass' means to solicit votes, orders, or opinions.