campaign

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A series of military operations undertaken to achieve a large-scale objective during a war: Grant's Vicksburg campaign secured the entire Mississippi for the Union.
2. n. An operation or series of operations energetically pursued to accomplish a purpose: an advertising campaign for a new product; a candidate's political campaign.
3. v. To engage in an operation planned to achieve a certain goal: campaigned through the jungles of Vietnam; campaigned for human rights.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An open field; a large open plain. Now champaign.
2. n. The operations of an army during one season, or in a definite enterprise: as, the Vicksburg campaign.
3. n. Continued or sustained aggressive operations directed to the accomplishment of some particular object: as, the temperance campaign; especially, in United States politics, organized action in influencing voters in an election, etc.: as, the last presidential campaign.
4. n. In metallurgy, the time during which a furnace remains in operation without stoppage.
5. To serve in a campaign.
6. n. A more or less extended trip, excursion, or journey for a definite purpose, such as for botanizing or geologizing.

Wiktionary

1. n. A series of operations undertaken to achieve a set goal; as, an election campaign, a military campaign, an advertising campaign.
2. v. intransitive To take part in a campaign.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. An open field; a large, open plain without considerable hills. Seechampaign.
2. n. (Mil.) A connected series of military operations forming a distinct stage in a war; the time during which an army keeps the field.
3. n. Political operations preceding an election, by candidates, their assistants, and supporters, for the purpose of convincing voters to vote for the candidate. It usually consists of one or more methods of contacting voters including advertising, distribution or mailing of printed leaflets or letters; speeches, interviews with news media, and door-to-door visits with potential voters.
4. n. Any coordinated effort to contact potential supporters or customers and solicit their support or patronage.
5. n. (Metal.) The period during which a blast furnace is continuously in operation.
6. v. To serve in a campaign.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. run, stand, or compete for an office or a position
2. v. go on a campaign; go off to war
3. n. several related operations aimed at achieving a particular goal (usually within geographical and temporal constraints)
4. n. an overland journey by hunters (especially in Africa)
5. n. a race between candidates for elective office
6. v. exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for
7. n. a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end