Definition of campaign noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
campaign
noun
kæmˈpeɪn kæmˈpeɪn
1campaign (against/for something)a series of planned activities that are intended to achieve a particular social, commercial or political aimto conduct a campaigna campaign against ageism in the workplacethe campaign for parliamentary reforman anti-smoking campaignToday police launched(= began)a campaign to reduce road accidents.an advertising campaignan election campaignthe President's campaign team/manager2a series of attacks and battles that are intended to achieve a particular military aim during a warthe North African campaignAir battles had dominated the campaign.a bombing campaignUsage note: Voting in electionsRunning for electionconduct/hold an election/a referendum(especially North American English) run for office/election/governor/mayor/president/the White House(especially British English) stand for election/office/Parliament/the Labour Party/a second termhold/call/contest a general/national electionlaunch/run a presidential election campaignsupport/back a candidatesway/convince/persuade voters/the electorateappeal to/attract/woo/target (North American English) swing voters/(British English) floating votersfix/rig/steal an election/the voteVotinggo to/be turned away from (especially British English) a polling station/(North American English) a polling placecast a/your vote/ballot (for somebody)vote for the Conservative candidate/the Democratic partymark/spoil your ballot papercount (British English) the postal votes/(especially North American English) the absentee ballotsgo to/be defeated at the ballot boxget/win/receive/lose votesget/win (60% of) the popular/black/Hispanic/Latino/Muslim votewin the election/(in the US) the primaries/a seat in Parliament/a majority/powerlose an election/the vote/your majority/your seatwin/come to power in a landslide (victory) (= with many more votes than any other party)elect/re-elect somebody (as) mayor/president/an MP/senator/congressman/congresswomanTaking powerbe sworn into office/in as presidenttake/administer (in the US) the oath of officeswear/take (in the UK) an/the oath of allegiancegive/deliver (in the US) the president's inaugural addresstake/enter/hold/leave officeappoint somebody (as) ambassador/governor/judge/ministerform a government/a cabinetserve two terms as prime minister/in office more collocations at economy, politicsUsage note: campaignbattlestruggledrivewarfightThese are all words for an effort made to achieve or prevent something.campaign a series of planned activities that are intended to achieve a particular social, commercial or political aim: the campaign for parliamentary reform◇an advertising campaignbattle a competition or argument between people or groups of people trying to win power or control: She finally won the legal battle for compensation.◇the endless battle between man and naturestruggle a competition or argument between people or groups of people trying to win power or control: the struggle for independence◇the struggle between good and evilbattle or struggle?A struggle is always about things that seem absolutely necessary, such as life and death or freedom. A battle can also be about things that are not absolutely necessary, just desirable, or about the pleasure of winning: the battle/struggle between good and evil◇a legal struggle for compensation◇a struggle of wills/wits.drive an organized effort by a group of people to achieve something: the drive for greater efficiency◇a drive to reduce energy consumptioncampaign or drive?A campaign is usually aimed at getting other people to do something; a drive may be an attempt by people to get themselves to do something: From today, we're going on an economy drive(= we must spend less). A campaign may be larger, more formal and more organized than a drive.war [sing.] an effort over a long period of time to get rid of or stop something bad: the war against crimefight [sing.] the work of trying to stop or prevent something bad or achieve something good; an act of competing, especially in a sport: Workers won their fight to stop compulsory redundancies.war or fight?A war is about stopping things, like drugs and crime, that everyone agrees are bad. A fight can be about achieving justice for yourself.a campaign/battle/struggle/drive/war/fight against somethinga campaign/battle/struggle/drive/fight for somethinga one-man/one-woman/personal campaign/battle/struggle/wara bitter campaign/battle/struggle/drive/war/fightto launch/embark on a campaign/battle/driveto lead/continue the campaign/battle/struggle/drive/fightto win/lose a battle/struggle/war/fight
kæmˈpeɪn 
kæmˈpeɪn 
1 campaign (against/for something) a series of planned activities that are intended to achieve a particular social, commercial or political aimto conduct a campaigna campaign against ageism in the workplacethe campaign for parliamentary reforman anti-smoking campaignToday police launched (= began) a campaign to reduce road accidents.an advertising campaignan election campaignthe President's campaign team/manager2 a series of attacks and battles that are intended to achieve a particular military aim during a warthe North African campaignAir battles had dominated the campaign.a bombing campaign
Usage note: Voting in electionsRunning for electionconduct/hold an election/a referendum(especially North American English) run for office/election/governor/mayor/president/the White House(especially British English) stand for election/office/Parliament/the Labour Party/a second termhold/call/contest a general/national electionlaunch/run a presidential election campaignsupport/back a candidatesway/convince/persuade voters/the electorateappeal to/attract/woo/target (North American English) swing voters/(British English) floating votersfix/rig/steal an election/the voteVotinggo to/be turned away from (especially British English) a polling station/(North American English) a polling placecast a/your vote/ballot (for somebody)vote for the Conservative candidate/the Democratic partymark/spoil your ballot papercount (British English) the postal votes/(especially North American English) the absentee ballotsgo to/be defeated at the ballot boxget/win/receive/lose votesget/win (60% of) the popular/black/Hispanic/Latino/Muslim votewin the election/(in the US) the primaries/a seat in Parliament/a majority/powerlose an election/the vote/your majority/your seatwin/come to power in a landslide (victory) (= with many more votes than any other party)elect/re-elect somebody (as) mayor/president/an MP/senator/congressman/congresswomanTaking powerbe sworn into office/in as presidenttake/administer (in the US) the oath of officeswear/take (in the UK) an/the oath of allegiancegive/deliver (in the US) the president's inaugural addresstake/enter/hold/leave officeappoint somebody (as) ambassador/governor/judge/ministerform a government/a cabinetserve two terms as prime minister/in office more collocations at economy, politics