Heaving: meaning, definitions and examples

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heaving

[ˈhiːvɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in sailing

The act of raising or lifting something heavy, especially in sailing when pulling on a rope or line.

Synonyms

hoisting, lifting, pulling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
heaving	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.
lifting	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.
hoisting	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.
pulling	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.

Examples of usage

Heaving the anchor from the sea bed was hard work.
The heaving of the sails helped propel the boat forward.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

physically moving something heavy

To lift or haul with great effort, especially something heavy or cumbersome.

Synonyms

haul, lift, pull.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lift	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
haul	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
pull	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

Word

Description / Examples

lift

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

haul

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

pull

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

Examples of usage

They were heaving the crates onto the truck.
She heaved the boulder out of the way.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English word 'hefan,' which means 'to lift or raise.'
It has been used since the early Middle Ages to describe lifting heavy weights or objects.
The term has shifted over time to also describe emotional states, as in 'heaving sobs,' indicating a strong physical reaction.

Literature

Heaving is often used in poetry and prose to convey intense emotions, such as grief or joy.
In many classic novels, the act of heaving can symbolize the struggles of characters, reflecting their internal battles.
Writers frequently use heaving to create vivid imagery, making readers feel the weight of a character’s struggles.

Psychology

Heaving, often associated with breathing patterns, can indicate stress or anxiety when someone is overwhelmed.
The physical act of heaving can have calming effects when combined with mindful breathing techniques.
Psychological studies show that heavy breathing can trigger deep emotional responses, often linked to memories or past experiences.

Physical Activities

In sports, heaving is common in activities like weightlifting or strongman competitions, where athletes lift heavy objects.
Heaving can also refer to the motion of waves in the ocean, showcasing nature's power and grace.
During intense exercise, heaving can describe the effort of your body as you push your limits.

Pop Culture

Movies sometimes depict heaving to portray dramatic moments, enhancing the emotions of a scene.
In music, the term is often used in lyrics to express feelings of being overwhelmed or emotionally charged.
Vigorous theatrical performances may include heaving movements to captivate the audience and convey energy.

Translations

Translations of the word "heaving" in other languages:

🇵🇹 agitação

levantamento
ânsia

🇮🇳 उठाना

🇩🇪 Heben

Wogen
Heben und Senken

🇮🇩 mengangkat

gelombang
pengangkatan

🇺🇦 підйом

хвилювання
важке дихання

🇵🇱 podnoszenie

falowanie
podnoszenie i opadanie

🇯🇵 持ち上げ

波打つ
持ち上げること

🇫🇷 soulèvement

agitation
lever

🇪🇸 levantamiento

agitación
elevación

🇹🇷 kaldırma

dalgalanma
şişirme

🇰🇷 올리기

파도
들썩임

🇸🇦 رفع

🇨🇿 zvedání

vlnění
zvedání a klesání

🇸🇰 zdvíhanie

vlnenie
zdvíhanie a klesanie

🇨🇳 提升

🇸🇮 dviganje

🇮🇸 lyfting

bylgjur
hækkun

🇰🇿 көтеру

🇬🇪 აწევა

🇦🇿 qaldırma

🇲🇽 levantamiento

agitación
elevación

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,929, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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15926 microbes
15927 asymmetrical
15928 purplish
15929 heaving
15930 impasse
15931 regenerated
15932 afferent
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