Canvas is a strong, heavy fabric woven from cotton, linen, or similar fibers. Artists stretch canvas across wooden frames to create surfaces for oil and acrylic paintings. Many famous paintings you see in museums, including works by Van Gogh, were painted on canvas. The fabric's durability means paintings can last for centuries when properly cared for.

Canvas is also used to make sturdy items like sails for boats, tents, backpacks, and sneakers. Before the invention of synthetic fabrics, canvas was essential for heavy-duty uses because it could withstand weather and wear. Even today, classic canvas shoes remain popular because the material breathes well and gets more comfortable over time.

As a verb, canvas can mean to cover something with canvas. A related word, canvass (spelled with a double “s”), is a verb meaning to survey or poll people. When campaign workers canvass a neighborhood, they go door to door asking residents about their opinions or plans. Political campaigns canvass voters to understand what issues matter most to them.