heave Definition
- 1lift or haul (something heavy) with great effort.
- 2throw (something) with effort.
- 3breathe in a labored or heavy manner; gasp.
Using heave: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "heave" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
They heaved the chest onto the deck of the ship.
Example
She heaved the rock over the fence.
Example
After running the marathon, he was heaving and gasping for breath.
heave Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with heave
Example
After submitting the final exam, she heaved a sigh of relief.
heave-ho
a cry used by sailors when hauling on a rope together
Example
With a heave-ho, they pulled the boat ashore.
Example
As we approached the top of the hill, the city heaved into view.
Origins of heave
Middle English: from Old Norse hefja, hefna ‘raise, revenge’.
Summary: heave in Brief
The verb 'heave' [hiːv] means to lift or throw something with great effort, or to breathe heavily. It is often used in nautical contexts, such as 'heave-ho,' which is a cry used by sailors when hauling on a rope together. Other phrases include 'heave a sigh of relief,' expressing a feeling of relief after a stressful situation, and 'heave into view/sight,' meaning to appear gradually.