From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcampaigncam‧paign1 /kæmˈpeɪn/ ●●○ S3 W3 noun [countable] 1 TRY TO DO OR GET somethinga series of actions intended to achieve a particular result relating to politics or business, or a social improvement an advertising campaigncampaign for/against a campaign for equal rights Jones ran a good campaign. Police have launched a campaign to crack down on drug dealers.2 FIGHT FOR OR AGAINST somethinga series of battles, attacks etc intended to achieve a particular result in a warCOLLOCATIONSverbslaunch/mount a campaign (=begin a campaign)They have launched a campaign to end world poverty.run/wage/conduct a campaign (=carry out a campaign)He ran an aggressive campaign.lead a campaignThe government is leading a ‘walk to school’ campaign.spearhead a campaign (=lead it – used especially in news reports)The campaign was spearheaded by the Students’ Union.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + campaigna national/nationwide campaignThe walk was part of a national campaign to raise £900,000.a worldwide/global/international campaigna worldwide campaign for peacean advertising/marketing/sales campaignThe store ran a television advertising campaign just before Christmas.a publicity campaign (=to tell the public about something)The interview was the start of a publicity campaign for his new book.an election/electoral campaignHe was a candidate in the 2008 election campaign.a presidential campaignObama’s presidential campaigna political campaignShe was involved in many political campaigns.a media/press campaignThe government spent thousands of pounds on a media campaign.a fundraising campaign (=to get money for something)The church is launching a £50,000 fundraising campaign for the renovation work.an anti-smoking/anti-bullying etc campaignHow effective has the anti-smoking campaign been?a smear campaign (=in which unpleasant or untrue stories are spread about an important person)He claims he was the victim of a smear campaign.a long campaignHer father fought a long campaign for an investigation to be held.an effective/successful campaignThe Conservatives failed to mount an effective campaign.a strong campaign (=forceful and effective)The car was the subject of a strong advertising campaign.a determined campaignHis wife waged a determined campaign for his release.a vicious campaign (=very unpleasant and designed to attack someone)The state had conducted a vicious campaign of misinformation and propaganda.a deliberate/concerted campaign (=done by people in a determined way)There was a concerted campaign to attract more women into the armed forces.an orchestrated campaign disapproving (=organized secretly to make political events happen in the way you want)This resulted in an orchestrated campaign of civil disorder.a sustained campaign (=lasting a long time)The organization has mounted a sustained campaign against the killing of endangered species.campaign + NOUNcampaign funds/moneyHe was found guilty of using campaign funds illegally.a campaign manager (=for a political campaign)She’s a campaign manager for Amnesty International.the campaign trail (=the places someone visits as part of their election campaign)Iowa was the first stop on the presidential campaign trail.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘make a campaign’. Say launch a campaign.
Examples from the Corpus
campaign• During his years as a human rights campaigner he was arrested seven times.• Environmental groups launched a campaign against the widespread production of genetically modified crops.• Motoring organizations have started a campaign for safer roads in the area.• The company has launched an advertising campaign in the hope of attracting new customers.• The company has spent over £50 million on its latest advertising campaign.• The government does not want this kind of bad publicity in the middle of an election campaign.• Skinner was also given responsibility for liaising closely with the troika at the apex of Bush's re-election campaign.• the governor's election campaign• All kinds of extravagant promises were made during the election campaign.• At home, Edna was in her final campaign against Jane Ming-li, who continued to defy the new order.• No one asked me about follow up phone calls made to me by their offices, standard procedures for campaigns.• Richards and his team have already started planning his campaign for election as party leader.• Hopefully in the future it will become standard public relations practice to use research to measure the results or achievements of campaigns.• Voters report that they learn more about presidential candidates from the nationally-televised debates than from any other campaign event.• The same anti-fashion pose will soon be used on other campaign themes.• Our campaign against drug abuse is supported by the medical profession.• The government's campaign to recruit more black police officers has not been a success.• Throughout the campaign, Baldwin looked the most likely to win.• the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament• the campaign for prison reform• The team also launched its season-ticket campaign by making brochures available to fans.• Clark's vigorous campaign against the dumping of nuclear waste will continue.campaign for/against• a campaign against the death penalty• City hall staffers said the mayor is busy campaigning for re-election and did not have time to discuss the park proposal.• Peter Melchett and I have been involved in environmental campaigning for a very long time.• Amnesty International has long campaigned against flogging for whatever crime.• Ronald Reagan, campaigning for the presidency, denounced the treaty.• Rosellini campaigned hard against the measure to cut welfare benefits.• A congressional observer recalled that during the campaign for former Oregon Sen.• But his more immediate task is to convince the left to campaign for him.• They also suspect that the move against wolves is part of a wider campaign against predators.campaigncampaign2 ●●○ verb [intransitive] TRY TO DO OR GET somethingto lead or take part in a series of actions intended to achieve a particular social or political resultcampaign for/against a group campaigning against the destruction of the rain forests→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
campaign• Most fundamentalist churches disapprove of homosexuals, and many leaders of the religious right have aggressively campaigned against gay rights.• Or the business interests that provide campaign cash and are more philosophically in tune with the congressional leadership?• Women campaigned for equal pay and equal rights throughout the 1960s.• Just possibly, the politicians might begin debating that as they campaign for November's mayoral election.• The Prime Minister will be campaigning in Scotland next week.• After months of campaigning, local parents have persuaded the council to provide a school bus service.• While Dole has been campaigning more aggressively lately, so has the Clinton camp.• I believe we should support responsible organisations campaigning on behalf of animals for two reasons: 1.• That, as pressure groups, they are free to campaign openly for the changes, Mrs Whitehouse accepted.• He was one of the people who campaigned to change the law on homosexuality.• Drivers like Yvonne have campaigned to change the law.campaign for/against• Peter Melchett and I have been involved in environmental campaigning for a very long time.• Amnesty International has long campaigned against flogging for whatever crime.• A congressional observer recalled that during the campaign for former Oregon Sen.• But his more immediate task is to convince the left to campaign for him.• They also suspect that the move against wolves is part of a wider campaign against predators.• City hall staffers said the mayor is busy campaigning for re-election and did not have time to discuss the park proposal.• Ronald Reagan, campaigning for the presidency, denounced the treaty.From Longman Business Dictionarycampaigncam‧paign /kæmˈpeɪn/ noun [countable] a planned series of actions that are intended to achieve something or persuade people to do somethingThe charity has launched a campaign to end the trade in rhinoceros products.campaign for/againstthe miners’ campaign against pit closuresa campaign to do somethinga campaign to convince investors that Swindon is the most desirable business site in the world → advertising campaign → drip campaign → sales campaignOrigin campaign1 (1600-1700) French campagne, from Italian campagna “level country, campaign”, from Late Latin campania “level country”, from Latin campus ( → CAMP1); because soldiers went out into the country for military exercises 