campaign

1 of 2

noun

cam·​paign (ˌ)kam-ˈpān 

1

: a connected series of military operations forming a distinct phase of a war

the bombing campaign

2

: a connected series of operations designed to bring about a particular result

election campaign

an advertising campaign

campaign

2 of 2

verb

campaigned; campaigning; campaigns

intransitive verb

: to go on, engage in, or conduct a campaign

campaigned for the presidency

transitive verb

: to enter (something, such as a horse or boat) in competition

was at that time campaigning a big steeplechase stable

—A. H. Higginson

campaigner noun

Synonyms

Noun

• bandwagon
• blitz
• cause
• crusade
• drive
• juggernaut
• movement
• push

Examples of campaign in a Sentence

Noun

The group launched a campaign to protect the area from commercial development.

The university is organizing a campaign to attract a more diverse student population.

Verb

She campaigned to save the town library.

He campaigned hard to get more funding.

a time when women were campaigning for the right to vote

I campaigned for her when she ran for governor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Allred, a three-term congressman from Dallas, is also well-financed but running a lower-key and more centrist race than the freewheeling campaign of the more outwardly liberal O'Rourke. —John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

The marketing campaign has seemingly become more and more viral each year, as Spotify ups its graphic design and data personalization game. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2024

Verb

In 1988, the year Dukakis chose to campaign in Michigan on Election Day, Republican nominee George H.W. Bush held a Monday campaign event in Southfield, one day earlier. —Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024

For both Vargas and Bacon, campaigning in the deep purple district has placed their focus on kitchen table issues including the economy, immigration and public safety, rather than spending time highlighting wedge issues. —Maya Marchel Hoff, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French campagne, probably from Italian campagna level country, campaign, from Late Latin campania level country, from Latin, the level country around Naples

Verb

derivative of campaign entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1692, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing campaign

• campaign button
• campaign for
• campaign trail
• counter-campaign
• whispering campaign

Kids Definition

campaign

noun

cam·​paign

kam-ˈpān

1

: a series of military operations in a particular area or for a particular purpose as part of a war

2

: a connected series of activities designed to bring about a particular result

an election campaign

campaign verb

campaigner noun