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
Anthropologie’s are the right size and heft and come in both silver and gold. Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 For all the advantages that extra weight gave for the Bushcraft in terms of swing, its heft didn’t do it any favors in the carrying test. Joe Jackson, Outside Online, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
Find it on Amazon This Cordless Vacuum Makes Housekeeping Simpler Don’t worry about cords or hefting a heavy machine up and down stairs. Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024 This would normally involve sending a vessel to each turbine, employing a crane to heft the gear up to the transition piece. New Atlas, 8 Aug. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near heft

Cite this Entry

“Heft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heft. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

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

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!