canvas

A canvas is a type of hard, rough cloth used for making sails, tents, and painted on.

Example: John prepared the canvas for the sail.

Canvas that is stretched out on a frame to be painted on.

Example: A good artist chooses his or her own canvas.

Canvas is something that is a basis for a creative work.

Example: The life in rural France served as a canvas for Ted F. Adams' Around the Tree.

If you canvas something, you cover an area or object with canvas.