a group of things placed, thrown, or lying one on another; pile: a heap of stones.
Informal. a great quantity or number; multitude: a heap of people.
Slang. an automobile, especially a dilapidated one.
verb (used with object)
to gather, put, or cast in a heap; pile (often followed by up, on, together, etc.).
to accumulate or amass (often followed by up or together): to heap up riches.
to give, assign, or bestow in great quantity; load (often followed by on or upon): to heap blessings upon someone; to heap someone with work.
to load, supply, or fill abundantly: to heap a plate with food.
verb (used without object)
to become heaped or piled, as sand or snow; rise in a heap or heaps (often followed by up).
Idioms for heap
all of a heap, Informal.
overwhelmed with astonishment; amazed: We were struck all of a heap upon hearing of their divorce.
suddenly; abruptly; All of a heap the room was empty.
Origin of heap
First recorded before 900; 1925–30 for def. 3; Middle English heep, Old English hēap; cognate with Dutch hoop, Old High German houf; akin to German Haufe
SYNONYMS FOR heap
1 mass, stack; accumulation, collection.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR heap ON THESAURUS.COM
OTHER WORDS FROM heap
heaper,nounheapy,adjectiveo·ver·heap,verb (used with object)un·heaped,adjective
Words nearby heap
healthy, healthyish, Healy, Heaney, HEAO, heap, heaping, hear, hear a peep out of, hear a pin drop, can, Heard and McDonald Islands
User error accounts for the majority of gear failure in the field, so learning how your tent or bedding sets up before you leave home can save you heaps of time and stress when you’re depending on it.
How to Pack for a Family Camping Trip|Joe Jackson|October 1, 2020|Outside Online
It’s notably lacking in the generous heaps of grated fresh ginger I know Sammy adds to his blend, but still, it’s excellent.
Until I Can Go Back to My Favorite Restaurant, This Jerk Paste Is the Next Best Thing|Elazar Sontag|September 25, 2020|Eater
Where this has proved impossible, we’ve outsourced the process using barrels, jars, compost heaps, and industrial fermenters.
The Fungal Evangelist Who Would Save the Bees - Issue 90: Something Green|Merlin Sheldrake|September 23, 2020|Nautilus
These include human bones, ancient buildings, ancient trash heaps and more.
Scientists Say: Archaeology|Bethany Brookshire|August 10, 2020|Science News For Students
Another plus is that busy microbes in a compost heap put out a lot of heat.
Greener than burial? Turning human bodies into worm food|Laura Sanders|April 3, 2020|Science News For Students
Since then, Abilify has risen from the fifth-most-prescribed drug to the top of the heap.
Mother’s Little Anti-Psychotic Is Worth $6.9 Billion A Year|Jay Michaelson|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This regrettable action will, of course, ignite a racial gang war, leaving a heap of bodies in its wake.
Inside 'Sons of Anarchy's' Final Season: Creator Kurt Sutter on the Most Brutal Season Yet|Annaliza Savage|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heap praise, not scorn, on physicians who are brave and caring enough to recommend cannabis when appropriate.
I Got a Weed License in Minutes|Daniela Drake|June 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nestled here, in the southwestern corner of the compound, is a heap of crumbling concrete.
Pablo Escobar’s Private Prison Is Now Run by Monks for Senior Citizens|Jeff Campagna|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If not, you'll be seen as a hypocrite and as a known Christian, heap shame on the Gospel.
Conservative Christians Selectively Apply Biblical Teachings in the Same-Sex Marriage Debate|Kirsten Powers, Jonathan Merritt|February 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You can—this heap has got the legs of a centipede and you've got plenty of gas and oil.
Triplanetary|Edward Elmer Smith
Then it came to the ground in a heap, writhing horribly in its death agonies.
Jack North's Treasure Hunt|Roy Rockwood
Though hanging over Clare's back he knew presently, by his stopping, that they had come to the heap.
A Rough Shaking|George MacDonald
Lady Loring ran through her correspondence rapidly, pushed away the letters in a heap, and poured herself out a second cup of tea.
The Black Robe|Wilkie Collins
Down, down, down he fell, on to a heap of great sharp stones.
The Nursery, No. 109, January, 1876, Vol. XIX.|Unknown
British Dictionary definitions for heap
heap
/ (hiːp) /
noun
a collection of articles or mass of material gathered together in one place
(often plural usually foll by of) informala large number or quantity
give them heapsAustralianslangto contend strenuously with an opposing sporting team
give it heapsNZslangto try very hard
informala place or thing that is very old, untidy, unreliable, etcthe car was a heap
adverb
heaps(intensifier)he said he was feeling heaps better
verb
(often foll by up or together) to collect or be collected into or as if into a heap or pileto heap up wealth
(tr; often foll by with, on, or upon)to load or supply (with) abundantlyto heap with riches
Derived forms of heap
heaper, noun
Word Origin for heap
Old English héap; related to Old Frisian hāp, Old Saxon hōp, Old High German houf