I. (ˈ)kam|pān, -aam- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French campagne, probably from Old North French or Old Provençal, from Late Latin campania level country, from Latin Campania, the level country about Naples, from campus field — more at camp
1. obsolete : a tract of open country : plain
2.
[French campagne, probably from Italian campagna, from Late Latin campania ]
a. obsolete : the time during which an army is in the field
b. : a connected series of military operations forming a distinct phase of a war
3. obsolete : a trip or excursion into the country especially in summer
4. : a connected series of determined operations or systematic efforts designed to bring about a particular result
an advertising campaign
a campaign against tuberculosis
a campaign to combat crime
specifically : a series of operations or efforts designed to influence the public to support a particular political candidate, ticket, or measure
a presidential campaign
the manager of the governor's campaign
5. : a period of activity usually continuous and often competitive especially in any seasonal occupation or industry
the football team ended its campaign with an unexpected defeat
6.
a. : the working life of a blast-furnace lining
b. : the working life of a melting unit in glass manufacturing
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to go on, engage in, or conduct a campaign
they campaigned vigorously against the zoning laws
transitive verb
: to race (a horse) in a series of major races
was at that time campaigning a big steeplechase stable — A.H.Higginson