Definition of "canvas" in English

noun

1. A type of coarse cloth, woven from hemp, useful for making sails and tents or as a surface for paintings.

2. A piece of canvas cloth stretched across a frame on which one may paint.

3. A mesh of loosely woven cotton strands or molded plastic to be decorated with needlepoint, cross-stitch, rug hooking, or other crafts.

4. (figuratively) A basis for creative work.

   • The author takes rural midwestern life as a canvas for a series of tightly woven character studies

5. (computer graphics) A region on which graphics can be rendered.

6. (nautical) Sails in general.

7. A tent.

   • He spent the night under canvas.

8. A rough draft or model of a song, air, or other literary or musical composition; especially one to show a poet the measure of the verses he is to make.

9. (Nigeria) Athletic shoes.

verb

1. (transitive) To cover (an area or object) with canvas.

verb

1. Obsolete spelling of canvass.

noun

1. Obsolete spelling of canvass.