Definition

Noun: 1. The act of campaigning for political office or a cause by delivering speeches, typically in a forceful, direct, or persuasive manner, often in public venues. This activity is traditionally associated with traveling to different locations to address voters directly.

Usage

• The term is used to describe the core activity of a political campaign trail, where a candidate seeks support.
• It often implies a vigorous, grassroots style of persuasion.

Examples

• The senator's relentless stumping across the state helped her connect with rural voters.
• After the convention, the candidate began a week of intense stumping in key swing states.
• His stumping on the issue of tax reform drew large crowds to town halls.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on the stump" / "To take to the stump": These related phrases mean to engage in political campaigning by giving speeches.
  • The former governor is back on the stump, advocating for his party's nominee.
• The activity is specifically associated with "stump speeches"—a standard, repeated speech given by a candidate at multiple campaign stops.

Variants and Related Words

• Stump (verb): To campaign by making political speeches.
  • The mayor will stump for the new policy in every district.
• Stump speech (noun): The standard speech a politician delivers while campaigning.
  • After hearing his stump speech three times, the reporters could recite it.

Synonyms

• Campaigning
• Canvassing
• Electioneering
• Speechmaking (in a political context)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• On the campaign stump: Actively involved in traveling and giving campaign speeches.
  • The candidate spent months on the campaign stump.

Noun

1. campaigning for something by making political speeches (stump speeches)