# heave

/ˈhiv/ (US) · /hˈiːv/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heave
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a sudden, strong movement or a heavy push. In old books about the sea or the ground, it describes a violent shaking or a deep breath.

For teachers: a sudden, violent movement or a heavy, forceful push. Often used in nautical or geological contexts to describe the violent motion of a ship or the shifting of earth.

## Examples

- The ship gave a violent heave as the storm hit.
- The miners felt a sudden heave in the ground as the tunnel collapsed behind them.
- The ancient stone walls groaned with a deep heave, signaling the structural instability of the cathedral as the earthquake continued to shake the city.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.