heap

1 of 2

noun

ˈhēp 

1

: a collection of things thrown one on another : pile

2

: a great number or large quantity : lot

in a heap of trouble

3

: position in or level of success in society

at the top/bottom of the heap

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/scorn upon them

Synonyms of heap

Noun

• loads
• ton
• plenty
• pile
• dozen
• slew
• chunk
• bunch
• wealth
• stack
• quantity
• lot
• deal
• raft

Verb

• lavish
• pour

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

Beside the pile of purses and heap of handbags, there's a lot of love in the room. — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

At the top of the heap is the best value, the All-In plan, normally $70 a month but discounted to just $50 with a voice line and AutoPay (plus taxes and fees). — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

European leaders are rallying around Zelensky after the White House heaped pressure on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil facilities, even as Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue unabated. — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Ukraine’s drone strikes, most recently against Russian data centers, have heaped more inconvenience upon Russian consumers, who already face major internet disruptions. — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026

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

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