heft

1 of 2

noun

ˈheft 

1

a

: weight, heaviness

b

: importance, influence

2

archaic : the greater part of something : bulk

heft

2 of 2

verb

hefted; hefting; hefts

transitive verb

1

: to heave up : hoist

2

: to test the weight of by lifting

hefting the rod … to get the feel of it

—Consumer Reports

Synonyms

Noun

• avoirdupois
• heaviness
• weight

Verb

• boost
• heave
• hoist
• jack (up)
• upheave

Examples of heft in a Sentence

Noun

the heft of a good hammer

some synthetic fabrics are nice and warm, but I prefer wool because it has more heft

Verb

hefted his growing son onto his shoulders

heft your baggy gym shorts a little higher—you're showing us more than we care to see

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The casting of Blanchett lends instant artistic heft to whatever comes next for Squid Game. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025

Berlin is keen to increase its military heft, and intends to double its army reserves. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 24 June 2025

Verb

Many such bearers hefted tusks on-foot in long processions on the arduous, horrendously hot and often malaria-ridden trek to the port. —Anthony R. Cannella, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025

Each of the four wheels now has a motor for powering over rough terrain, and each robo-arm can heft up to 3 kg (6.6 lb). —Paul Ridden may 28, New Atlas, 28 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from heave, after such pairs as weave : weft

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heft

• cleft
• deft
• left
• theft
• bereft

Kids Definition

heft

1 of 2 noun

ˈheft 

: weight entry 1 sense 1a, heaviness

heft

2 of 2 verb

1

: to heave up : lift

2

: to test the weight of by lifting