heaves: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1General, but with specific technical use in nautical, medical, and equestrian contexts.
Quick answer
What does “heaves” mean?
The plural noun form of 'heave': the act of lifting, pulling, or throwing something heavy with effort.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural noun form of 'heave': the act of lifting, pulling, or throwing something heavy with effort; a strong rise and fall motion.
Also refers to the third-person singular present tense of the verb 'to heave', meaning to lift, haul, or throw with great effort; to make a sound of exertion or distress; or specifically in a veterinary/medical context, bouts of retching or an effort to vomit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Heaves' is also a specific term for a chronic equine respiratory disease (COPD), more common in UK equestrian terminology. The verb form is used identically.
Connotations
Identical connotations of strenuous effort, discomfort, or nautical action in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher potential frequency in American English in the medical collocation 'dry heaves'. Slightly higher in British English in nautical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “heaves” in a Sentence
NP heaves NP PP (e.g., He heaves the sack onto the truck)NP heaves ADV/ADJP (e.g., His chest heaves rhythmically)NP heaves PP (e.g., The ship heaves into sight)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heaves” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- With a groan, he heaves the old trunk up the stairs.
- The frigate heaves to in the rough channel.
- Her shoulders heave with silent sobs.
American English
- He heaves the football a remarkable distance.
- The old car heaves and rattles before starting.
- After the bad oysters, he spent an hour heaving over the rail.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in logistics: 'The team heaves the crates onto the pallet.'
Academic
Rare in formal prose. Appears in literary analysis (descriptions of exertion, emotion) and veterinary/medical papers.
Everyday
Common for describing heavy lifting ('He heaves the suitcase'), signs of exertion ('his chest heaves'), or nausea ('she had the dry heaves').
Technical
Nautical: hauling lines, raising anchors. Veterinary: 'heaves' as equine COPD. Medical: retching without vomiting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “heaves”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “heaves”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heaves”
- Confusing 'heaves' (verb/noun) with 'heavens'. Incorrect pluralisation as 'heavies'. Using for light, effortless actions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is commonly used as both. The third-person singular verb ('he heaves') is frequent in descriptive prose. The plural noun ('great heaves') is slightly less common but standard.
'Dry heaves' refer to the spasmodic contraction of the stomach and diaphragm as if to vomit, but without bringing anything up, often occurring after vomiting has emptied the stomach or due to severe nausea.
Yes. 'Heave' is the imperative or base form of the verb (e.g., 'Heave the line!'). 'Heaves' is either the third-person singular present ('The crew heaves the anchor') or the plural noun for the actions themselves ('Five strong heaves brought it aboard').
Indirectly. One 'heaves a sigh', which is a physical manifestation of an emotion. Descriptions like 'her shoulders heaved with sobs' use the physical action to convey the emotional state.
The plural noun form of 'heave': the act of lifting, pulling, or throwing something heavy with effort.
Heaves is usually general, but with specific technical use in nautical, medical, and equestrian contexts. in register.
Heaves: in British English it is pronounced /hiːvz/, and in American English it is pronounced /hiːvz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “heave a sigh of relief”
- “heave into sight/view”
- “heave to (nautical)”
- “dry heaves”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HEAVy weight causing you to HEAVE and sigh; the plural HEAVES are the repeated efforts.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/EXERTION IS PHYSICAL STRAIN (e.g., 'heave a sigh'); APPEARANCE IS EMERGENCE FROM THE SEA (e.g., 'heave into view').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'heaves' most likely refer to a medical condition?