Heave
/hiːv/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo lift or raise something heavy with great effort.
/hiːv/
To lift or raise with great effort; to hoist.
The construction workers heaved the beams into place.
💡 Simply: Think of it like trying to pick up something SUPER heavy. Like, you're grunting and straining to get it off the ground! 'Heaving' is that big effort.
👶 For kids: To lift something very, very heavy!
More Examples
With a mighty effort, she heaved the door open.
They heaved the sacks of potatoes onto the cart.
How It's Used
"The sailors heaved the anchor."
"He heaved the heavy box onto the truck."
To rise and fall, often rhythmically.
/hiːv/
To rise and fall rhythmically.
The ocean heaved with large waves.
💡 Simply: Imagine your chest going up and down as you breathe hard, or the waves moving up and down. That up-and-down movement is 'heaving'.
👶 For kids: Going up and down, like your chest when you breathe hard!
More Examples
His chest heaved with emotion.
The injured dog's side heaved rapidly.
How It's Used
"Her chest heaved with each breath."
"The sea heaved and crashed against the shore."
To vomit.
/hiːv/
The seasickness made him heave overboard.
💡 Simply: When your stomach feels upset and you want to throw up, that act of throwing up is called 'heaving'.
👶 For kids: To throw up.
More Examples
He heaved after eating the spoiled food.
She felt her stomach heave at the sight.
How It's Used
"The patient heaved after taking the medication."
An effort of lifting or raising.
/hiːv/
An act of heaving or lifting.
With a mighty heave, he hoisted the flag.
💡 Simply: When you give a big pull or lift, that's a 'heave'.
👶 For kids: A big pull or lift.
More Examples
It took a considerable heave to get the boulder moving.
One final heave and the boat was on the shore.
How It's Used
"With a heave, he lifted the box."
Idioms & expressions
heave a sigh
To sigh deeply, often expressing relief or sadness.
"She heaved a sigh of relief when she heard the good news."
heave-ho
A call used to coordinate the effort of lifting or pulling.
"Heave-ho! Let's get this crate up onto the truck!"
Heave to
to cause a ship to stop or move very slowly in the water, usually by turning the ship's bow into the wind.
"The captain ordered the crew to heave to in order to repair the engine."
From Old English *hefian* 'to lift, raise,' related to *hebban* 'to lift, heave.'
The word 'heave' appears in Old English texts and was commonly used to describe physical exertion.
Memory tip
Imagine a strong person HEAVING a huge boulder.
Word Origin
"to lift, raise"