heap

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/scorn upon them

Synonyms of heap

• lavish
• pour

Examples of heap in a Sentence

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

Sometimes recruiters try to sell players, heaping praise on the targets and promising playing time. —Mike Defabo, New York Times, 1 June 2026

Pete Davidson is heaping praise on ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian for her recent TV and film roles. —Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 30 May 2026

Nick Immaculata from Preservation Distillery might be, especially after seeing the praise heaped upon it from the eternally online whiskey world. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 May 2026

The extra screenings prolonged the processing and approval of visa appointments, heaping uncertainty onto employees’ travel and work plans. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for heap

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap
• seep
• sheep
• sleep

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