heave

verb \ ˈhēv \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: heave in a Sentence

Definition of heave

heaved or hove play \ˈhōv\; heaving

transitive verb

1 obsolete : elevate

2 : lift, raise

heaved the trunk onto the table

3 : throw, cast

heaved her books on the floor

4 a : to cause to swell or rise

a spent horse gasping and heaving his chest

Frost had heaved the sidewalk.

b geology : to displace (something, such as a rock stratum or a mineral vein) especially by a fault

5 : to utter with obvious effort or with a deep breath

heave a sigh of relief

6 : to draw, pull, or haul on (something, such as a rope)

heave a line

intransitive verb

1 : to strain or labor to do something difficult : struggle

2 : retch, vomit

nearly heaved at the gruesome sight

3 a : to rise and fall rhythmically

The boat heaved up and down on the waves.

b : pant

runners heaving at the finish line

4 a : pull, push

heaving on a rope

b : to move a ship in a specified direction or manner

c past tense usually hove : to move in an indicated way

the ship hove into view

5 : to rise or become thrown or raised up

Roads had begun to heave with frost.

—

heaver

noun

— heave to

: to halt the headway of a ship (as by positioning a sailboat with the jib aback and the rudder turned sharply to windward)

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See heave defined for kids

Examples of heave in a Sentence

She heaved the door shut.
The quarterback heaved the ball down the field.
She sat down and heaved a sigh of relief.

Recent Examples of heave from the Web

Marmalade heaved himself forward, slowly at first, his grey belly propelling him toward the sea.

— christina tkacik, baltimoresun.com, "Free Marmalade: Harbor seal rescued by National Aquarium returned to seawater in Ocean City," 8 June 2018
Cruz, after carrying out one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern U.S. history at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, heaved and vomited clear fluid as a witness identified him, the Miami Herald reported.

— Fox News, "Nikolas Cruz vomited, hyperventilated during arrest, police say," 19 Apr. 2018
In so doing, Link takes a few more risks than has been typical at this theater — wading into some cool theatrical devices, including bodies that heave and sigh on cue.

— chris jones, chicagotribune.com, "It's Monday. It's Rogers Park. And thanks to the strength of Chicago theater, it's time for 'Anna Karenina'," 2 Mar. 2018
After leaving the hospital, one day Velu was in a heaving crowd at the training base, coming to terms with her new reality.

— Longreads, "A Chance to Rewrite History: The Women Fighters of the Tamil Tigers," 22 May 2018
Freeman sprinted home to score Atlanta’s first run of the day as Rivera heaved a desperation throw wide of home plate.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marlins nearly shut out against Braves, drop sixth of last seven," 13 May 2018
At each mushrooms’ base is a pad that users can press, causing the sculptures to heave, sigh, and expand in and out.

— james tarmy, Bloomberg.com, "The Smithsonian’s Burning Man Art Show Is Actually Quite Good," 30 Mar. 2018
Then pile 4 inches of mulch atop the planting hole to keep the new roots from heaving out of the ground during winter freezes and thaws, then pull the mulch away in the spring.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Gorgeous Peonies," 9 Mar. 2017
Even days in advance, the ordinarily calm town is already swarmed and heaving with fans and media.

— allison barrie, Fox News, "Royal Wedding: How a vast security operation will keep the couple, guests and spectators safe," 17 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of heave

Middle English heven, from Old English hebban; akin to Old High German hevan to lift, Latin capere to take

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

heave Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of heave

lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position. lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

- lift the chair while I vacuum

raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

- scouts raising a flagpole

rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

- suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

- elevated the taste of the public

hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

- hoisted the cargo on board

heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

- heaved the heavy crate inside

boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

- boosted his brother over the fence

heave

noun

Definition of heave

1 a : an effort to pull or raise something

with each heave of the rope

b : an act or instance of throwing : hurl

gave the ball a heave toward the basket

2 : an upward motion : rising; especially : a rhythmical rising

the heave of his chest

3 geology : horizontal displacement especially by the faulting of a rock

the total heave of the strata

4 heaves plural in form but singular or plural in construction, veterinary medicine : chronic pulmonary emphysema of the horse resulting in difficult expiration, heaving of the flanks, and a persistent cough

See heave defined for English-language learners