Heaving: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a large group of people or a place that is very crowded and busy.

• The market was absolutely heaving with shoppers.
• The concert hall was heaving with excited fans.

A general term for picking up something or raising it to a higher position. Can refer to both light and heavy objects.

• He was lifting weights at the gym.
• She lifted the baby out of the crib.

Typically used when raising or lifting something with the help of a mechanical device like a pulley or crane. Can also refer to the act of raising something to a higher position.

• The workers were hoisting the flag up the pole.
• They used a pulley system for hoisting the heavy equipment to the roof.

Describes the action of exerting force to move something towards you. Often used when talking about drawing or dragging objects, and not typically associated with vertical motion.

• She was pulling the suitcase through the airport.
• They were pulling the car out of the ditch.

Commonly used to describe raising something to a higher position, generally with less effort described than 'heave' or 'haul'.

• He lifted the box onto the shelf
• She lifted her child into her arms

Used when mentioning pulling or dragging something heavy or with effort over a long distance. This can refer to physical objects or metaphorically to transportation or effort over time.

• They had to haul the furniture up the stairs
• The truck hauls goods across the country

General term for applying force to move something towards oneself or in the specified direction. It suggests less effort than 'heave' or 'haul'.

• She pulled the door open
• He pulled the rope to bring the boat closer