heap

1 of 2

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
With starts against the White Sox and Cardinals up next, though, there isn’t a better young, high-upside starter with a good schedule and iffy results so far, so Leiter stands atop the heap. Eno Sarris, New York Times, 20 May 2025 His origins have muddied with time as multiple continuities, retcons, and heaps of unlockable dossiers have fleshed out his history. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
Verb
Whenever there appeared to be a lull in Lee’s case and the narrative threatened to shift toward scrutiny of the police for their lack of hard evidence or progress in the case, a new leak would emerge to re-inflame public outcry, conveniently heaping more pressure on the actor to cooperate. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025 The collapse has heaped pressure on medical facilities in the neighbouring city of Omdurman, across the Nile. Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for heap

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of heap was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heap. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

heap

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on heap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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