heap

American  

[heep] / hip /

noun

1. a group of things placed, thrown, or lying one on another; pile.

   a heap of stones.

   Synonyms:

   collection, accumulation, stack, mass

2. Informal. a great quantity or number; multitude.

   a heap of people.

3. Slang. an automobile, especially a dilapidated one.

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verb (used with object)

1. to gather, put, or cast in a heap; pile (often followed by up, on, together, etc.).

2. to accumulate or amass (often followed by up ortogether ).

   to heap up riches.

3. to give, assign, or bestow in great quantity; load (often followed by on orupon ).

   to heap blessings upon someone; to heap someone with work.

4. to load, supply, or fill abundantly.

   to heap a plate with food.

verb (used without object)

1. to become heaped or piled, as sand or snow; rise in a heap or heaps (often followed byup ).

idioms

1. all of a heap,

   1. overwhelmed with astonishment; amazed.

      We were struck all of a heap upon hearing of their divorce.

   2. suddenly; abruptly;

      All of a heap the room was empty.

heap British  

/ hiːp /

noun

1. a collection of articles or mass of material gathered together in one place

2. informal a large number or quantity

3. slang to contend strenuously with an opposing sporting team

4. slang to try very hard

5. informal a place or thing that is very old, untidy, unreliable, etc

   the car was a heap

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adverb

1. (intensifier)

   he said he was feeling heaps better

verb

1. to collect or be collected into or as if into a heap or pile

   to heap up wealth

2. (tr; often foll by with, on, or upon) to load or supply (with) abundantly

   to heap with riches

Other Word Forms

• heaper noun
• heapy adjective
• overheap verb (used with object)
• unheaped adjective

Etymology

Origin of heap

First recorded before 900; 1925–30 heap for def. 3; Middle English heep, Old English hēap; cognate with Dutch hoop, Old High German houf; akin to German Haufe

Example Sentences

At first glance that structure looks unfinished, a stack of six white boxes hastily heaped up at a shoe store on inventory day.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some, but not all, families see a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow if their child makes it as a professional and heap enormous pressure on their shoulders to succeed.

From BBC

The weekend before the trial started, hundreds of emails dating from 2011-14 emerged linking the crown princess to Epstein, intensifying public scrutiny and heaping embarrassment on the royal family.

From BBC

Another starched and ruffled maid was passing a tray heaped high with cakes.

From Literature

A new pile of lumber was heaped inside, five or six lengths of good, seasoned white pine planking, appearing out of nowhere.

From Literature

Related Words

• bundle
• clump
• jumble
• lump
• stack
• ton