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campaign

organized effort / military operation / to advocate

/kæmˈpeɪn/

Transitive Verb[C] Countable
ing: campaigning

The word carries a strong sense of intentionality and duration. Unlike a single event or a random effort, a "campaign" implies a structured strategy with a defined beginning, end, and specific target objective. In political and commercial contexts, it suggests an active push to persuade or influence a large group of people. It is often associated with high energy, resource allocation, and public visibility. In military contexts, the term describes a larger strategic arca collection of battles and maneuvers within a specific theater of warrather than a single skirmish. While typically neutral, it can take on an "aggressive" or "relentless" connotation depending on the modifiers used, reflecting the persistence required to see the goal through to completion.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Karen is at a PTA meeting while David is at his office.
Karen Smith

I'm going all out on this campaign to get the old playground equipment replaced.

Karen Smith
David Smith
David Smith

Nice. Just make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew.

💡
Karen is using 'campaign' in the context of an organized social/political effort to achieve a goal (PTA objective). David uses the idiom 'bite off more than you can chew', meaning to take on a task that is way too big or difficult, reflecting his slightly cautious but supportive husband persona.

Meanings

Nounorganized effort

A planned set of activities that happen over a period of time to achieve a specific social, commercial, or political goal.

"The company launched an aggressive marketing campaign to increase brand awareness."

Nounmilitary operation

A series of military operations intended to achieve a particular objective within a given area.

"The winter campaign was halted due to extreme weather conditions."

Transitive Verbto advocate

To work in an organized and active way toward a particular goal, typically political or social.

"They are campaigning for a change in the current tax laws."

Etymology

Derived from the Late Latin campania, meaning a plain or open field, which evolved from the Latin campus. Originally, the term referred to the act of taking to the field for military operations, specifically the movement of an army into the open country for a season of warfare. By the 17th century, the meaning expanded from purely military maneuvers to include any organized, systematic effort to achieve a specific objective, eventually encompassing political and commercial activities.

Related Words

Last Updated: June 8, 2026Report an Error