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

The Portuguese side have never reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and are looking to heap pressure on the Gunners.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

This game began, appropriately enough, with Angela Dugalic blocking Aston Judd’s shot and then glaring at her as the Longhorn lay in a heap.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Stir in a heap of chopped greens — kale, chard or spinach — until just wilted.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

During their first White House meeting last June, Merz challenged Trump to heap pressure on Moscow to end the "terrible" Ukraine war raging since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

Luckily, I ended up on top of the heap, and unluckily for Elliot, he ended up somewhere on the bottom.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

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