heap

1 of 2

noun

ˈhēp 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• abundance
• barrel
• basketful
• boatload
• bucket
• bunch
• bundle
• bushel
• carload
• chunk
• deal
• dozen
• fistful
• gobs
• good deal
• hundred
• lashings [chiefly British]
• lashins
• loads
• lot
• mass
• mess
• mountain
• much
• multiplicity
• myriad
• oodles
• pack
• passel
• peck
• pile
• plateful
• plenitude
• plentitude
• plenty
• pot
• potful
• profusion
• quantity
• raft
• reams
• scads
• sheaf
• shipload
• sight
• slew
• spate
• stack
• store
• ton
• truckload
• volume
• wad
• wealth
• yard

Verb

• lavish
• pour
• rain
• shower

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

Photo : Lauren Tamaki Pasta Alla Ruota Commonly known as cheese-wheel pasta, pasta alla ruota is a mouthwatering, eyes-widening way to present a heap of carbs to a crowd. —Alyson Sheppard, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024

Activities and Experiences With the best of London at your doorstep, this isn’t the type of hotel with heaps of activities. —Laura Ratliff, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024

Verb

Therefore, making or ordering enough food for everyone to have, at the very least, a heaping first place (and ideally a second) is a must. —Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024

Now, you’re left with a heaping, gooey pile of guts and seeds. —Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing heap

• at the bottom/top of the heap
• collapse/fall in a heap
• compost heap
• heap praises on
• scrap heap
• slag heap

Kids Definition

heap

1 of 2 noun

ˈhēp 

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