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
His fastball and slider already elevated him to the top of the modern pitching heap. Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025 Brinkley in her book describes one ugly scene when Joel, deep in his cups, ate a heap of spaghetti directly from a large pan on the stove, then vehemently kicked everyone out of the house for eating his pasta. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Playing on a Friday night is relatively unusual, but three more points would heap more pressure on the top-five contenders playing later in the weekend. Sam Lee, New York Times, 1 May 2025 Mackenzie Nicholson, Executive Chef at Beano’s Cabin, is spicing up Colorado cuisine with a dash of flair and a heaping spoonful of personality. Noel Burgess, Forbes, 24 Mar. 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 4 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!