a tent made of canvas fabric
"The hikers set up their sturdy canvas tent just as the rain began to fall."
A type of coarse cloth, woven from hemp, useful for making sails and tents or as a surface for paintings.
"The artist stretched the heavy canvas over the wooden frame to prepare for his new oil painting."
In plain English: A canvas is a strong, plain fabric used for painting or making bags and tents.
"The artist stretched the white canvas over the wooden frame to begin her painting."
Usage: Use "canvas" to refer specifically to the heavy, durable fabric made from cotton or linen that artists stretch over frames for painting or that manufacturers use for sails and tents. Do not confuse this material with other textiles like silk or wool when describing the sturdy cloth used for outdoor gear or art supplies.
cover with canvas
"She canvassed the walls of her living room so as to conceal the ugly cracks"
To cover an area or object with canvas.
"The workers wrapped a heavy tarpaulin over the truck's cargo bed and secured it tightly with ropes to protect the goods from rain."
In plain English: To canvas means to ask many people for their opinions or support, often by going from door to door.
"The artist decided to canvas his neighbors for support before launching his campaign."
Usage: Use the verb canvas to mean soliciting support, votes, or donations from a group of people, not to cover something with fabric. You would ask neighbors to sign a petition by canvassing their doors, whereas covering a boat with a tarp is described differently.
Canvas comes from Middle English via Anglo-Norman and Old Northern French, tracing its roots back to the Latin word for hemp plant. The term entered English specifically to refer to the strong fabric made from this plant, distinct from the medical or drug-related uses of related words like cannabis.