frost heave

noun

: an upthrust of ground or pavement caused by freezing of moist soil

called also frost heaving

Examples of frost heave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As sedums have shallow, fibrous roots, mulching around the base of the plant in the fall after planting helps to prevent frost heave during freeze-and-thaw cycles in the winter. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026

In cold regions, footings often need to extend a little below the frost line to prevent the deck from being lifted by frost heave in winter. — Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2026

Driving almost blind at high speed, Bob Markle was unable to avoid a frost heave in the roadbed. — Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026

Drivers know about potholes, frost heaves and pavement erosion long before the government organization in charge of the roads does. — Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for frost heave

• achieve
• believe
• conceive
• deceive
• naive
• perceive
• receive
• relieve
• reprieve
• retrieve
• breve
• cleave