heft

[heft]

noun

1. weight; heaviness.

   It was a rather flimsy chair, without much heft to it.

2. significance or importance.

3. Archaic.,  the bulk or main part.

verb (used with object)

1. to test the weight of by lifting and balancing.

   He hefted the spear for a few moments, and then flung it at the foe.

2. to heave; hoist.

heft

/ hɛft /

verb

1. to assess the weight of (something) by lifting

2. to lift

noun

1. weight

2. the main part

Other Word Forms

• hefter noun
• unhefted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heft¹

1550–60; heave + -t, variant of -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of heft¹

C19: probably from _heave , by analogy with thieve, theft, cleave, cleft

Example Sentences

Just for a start, can they build the campaigning infrastructure, the local parties, the list of vetted candidates, the policy heft and attract the talent to present themselves as a viable alternative government?

From BBC

If she cuts the necklace entirely, it would mean ending sales of her bestseller, a decision that carries not only financial heft but also emotional significance.

From Salon

Beating two of the party's four MPs to the leadership, the 42-year-old has already faced down the charge that he doesn't have the establishment heft of those elected to Parliament in a first-past-the-post system.

From BBC

After two years of mostly small exchanges — cookbook galleys, costume jewelry, a set of dinner plates with just the right heft — we brought home something that, improbably, shifted the cadence of our cooking.

From Salon

Go for something with a little backbone: thin, crisp gingersnaps that go tender overnight; store-bought shortbread with buttery heft; or ladyfingers, if you’re chasing tiramisu energy.

From Salon

Related Words

• bear 
• bring 
• ferry 
• give 
• haul 
• hoist 
• import 
• lift 
• lug 
• move 
• pack 
• remove 
• take 
• tote 
• transfer 
• transmit