heap

1 of 2

noun

ˈhēp 

1

: a collection of things thrown one on another : pile

2

: a great number or large quantity : lot

heap

2 of 2

verb

heaped; heaping; heaps

transitive verb

1

a

: to throw or lay in a heap : pile or collect in great quantity

his sole object was to heap up riches

b

: to form or round into a heap

heaped the dirt into a mound

c

: to form a heap on : load heavily

heap the plates with food

2

: to accord or bestow lavishly or in large quantities

heaped honors upon them

Synonyms

Noun

• abundance
• barrel
• basketful
• boatload
• bucket
• bunch
• bundle
• bushel
• carload
• chunk
• deal
• dozen
• fistful
• gobs
• good deal
• hundred
• lashings [chiefly British]
• lashins
• loads
• lot
• mass
• mess
• mountain
• much
• multiplicity
• myriad
• oodles
• pack
• passel
• peck
• pile
• plateful
• plenitude
• plentitude
• plenty
• pot
• potful
• profusion
• quantity
• raft
• reams
• scads
• sheaf
• shipload
• sight
• slew
• spate
• stack
• store
• ton
• truckload
• volume
• wad
• wealth
• yard

Verb

• lavish
• pour
• rain
• shower

Examples of heap in a Sentence

Noun

He dumped the grass clippings into the compost heap.

a heap of old newspapers

She left her dirty clothes in a heap on the floor.

He's in a heap of trouble!

I can't believe he's still driving that old heap.

Verb

the critics heaped scorn on the wannabe blockbuster and its implausible plot

heaped the stones in a corner of the yard

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

She is given a heap of medical equipment sealed into plastic bags (syringes, tubing, a phosphorescent green liquid, a gooey white injectable food product), and she’s told about the protocol regarding her new self — which, the program warns, will also be her old self. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 May 2024

At the top of the heap is Bernard Arnault, the founder and CEO of the luxury conglomerate LVMH. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English heep, from Old English hēap; akin to Old High German houf heap

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing heap

• at the bottom/top of the heap
• collapse/fall in a heap
• compost heap
• heap praises on
• scrap heap
• slag heap

Kids Definition

heap

1 of 2 noun

ˈhēp 

1

: a collection of things thrown one on another : pile

a rubbish heap

2

: a great number or large quantity : lot

heaps of money

a heap of fun

heap

2 of 2 verb

1

: to throw or lay in a heap : amass, pile

heap up leaves

2

: to toss or give in large quantities

heaped scorn on our efforts

3

: to form a heap on : load heavily

heaped the plate with food