heap

1 of 2

noun

1
: a collection of things thrown one on another : pile
2
: a great number or large quantity : lot

heap

2 of 2

verb

heaped; heaping; heaps

transitive verb

1
a
: to throw or lay in a heap : pile or collect in great quantity
his sole object was to heap up riches
b
: to form or round into a heap
heaped the dirt into a mound
c
: to form a heap on : load heavily
heap the plates with food
2
: to accord or bestow lavishly or in large quantities
heaped honors upon them

Examples of heap in a Sentence

Noun He dumped the grass clippings into the compost heap. a heap of old newspapers She left her dirty clothes in a heap on the floor. He's in a heap of trouble! I can't believe he's still driving that old heap. Verb the critics heaped scorn on the wannabe blockbuster and its implausible plot heaped the stones in a corner of the yard
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
More than a century later, the city and, by extension, the state of California remain at the top of the country’s film and TV production heap. Todd Longwell, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Document And Inventory Management Retail businesses have to deal with and process huge amounts of data and heaps of documentation from vendors, suppliers, distributors, manufacturers and lots of other entities. Alexei Dulub, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Some is doled out in free compost giveaways for residents, while heaps of the material are stored in a fenced area of a local park. Amy Taxin, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2024 Even after Panera’s energy drink drew a heap of controversy recently, Dunkin’ is putting its own on the menu. Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 23 Feb. 2024 The grow sites are contaminating and diverting millions of gallons of water, leaving trash heaps at hundreds of locations and endangering the public using the forests. Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 This time of renewal begins at different ages, sometimes as early as the mid 30’s, and is usually accompanied by a heap of symptoms like hot flashes, sleep irregularity, and mood changes. Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Why does the state budget have a deficit? Part of the recipe for the yearly state budget includes a heap of predictions for how much money the state will make in tax collections. The Arizona Republic, 12 Jan. 2024 Even settling for seven national titles, Saban stands alone at the top of the heap. Paul Newberry, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024
Verb
The Santa Monica Mountains provided a striking backdrop to tables heaped with cabbages and carrots and vibrant purple radishes at the Topanga Farmers Market, a weekly event that just made its first appearance under new direction and since closing down in 2018. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Add a heaping teaspoon to your warm matcha, lemonade or any smoothie. Kate Donnelly, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The day before cooking, dry-brine the chicken: In a small bowl, stir together the paprika, black pepper, cayenne and 1½ tablespoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or a heaping 2 teaspoons fine sea salt). Ali Slagle, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 What followed was a parody of criminal justice, as Russian prosecutors heaped on charges against Navalny, who continued to rail against Putin. Nathan Hodge, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 But for most in-the-know foodies, the Golden State isn’t complete without a heaping pile of Dungeness crab. Kelsey Mulvey, Sunset Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024 Use a large spoon to scoop a heaping portion of the mixture and place on the prepared sheet. Joy Howard, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2023 Video of the event shows several dozen people gathered around the Solovetsky Stone, which was heaped with flowers. Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Grab a heaping handful of hot chicken for just $14 before hitting these other bachelorette stops. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English heep, from Old English hēap; akin to Old High German houf heap

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of heap was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near heap

Cite this Entry

“Heap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heap. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

heap

1 of 2 noun
1
: a collection of things thrown one on another : pile
a rubbish heap
2
: a great number or large quantity : lot
heaps of money
a heap of fun

heap

2 of 2 verb
1
: to throw or lay in a heap : amass, pile
heap up leaves
2
: to toss or give in large quantities
heaped scorn on our efforts
3
: to form a heap on : load heavily
heaped the plate with food

More from Merriam-Webster on heap

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