heft

1 of 2

noun

1
2
archaic : the greater part of something : bulk

heft

2 of 2

verb

hefted; hefting; hefts

transitive verb

1
: to heave up : hoist
2
: to test the weight of by lifting
hefting the rod … to get the feel of itConsumer Reports

Examples of heft in a Sentence

Noun the heft of a good hammer some synthetic fabrics are nice and warm, but I prefer wool because it has more heft Verb hefted his growing son onto his shoulders heft your baggy gym shorts a little higher—you're showing us more than we care to see
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
The heft of batteries means EVs are generally a few hundred kilograms heavier than their fossil fuel equivalents. James Morris, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 America cultivated India both as a counterweight to China and in recognition of the country’s growing economic heft. Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Here in our yards, long years of earth have been hefted by hand and heaped up on tarps. Steven Searcy, IEEE Spectrum, 31 Aug. 2025 Recursive self-awareness like this can trap a performance in a feedback loop, but Bassichis finds heft in thinking about what actual mainstream fame might mean to a gay comedian, both in Maya’s time and now. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heft

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from heave, after such pairs as weave : weft

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heft was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heft. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

heft

2 of 2 verb
1
: to heave up : lift
2
: to test the weight of by lifting

More from Merriam-Webster on heft

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