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

• weight

Verb

• heave
• hoist

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

In terms of heft, the Azoth X weighs 2.6 pounds, nearly half the total of the similarly sized (and cheaper) OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro, which clocks in at a comparatively hefty 4.16 pounds. —PC Magazine, 17 July 2025

The interior eschews unnecessary heft by leaving out any use of such extravagances as undercoating, a heater, and backrests on the rear seats. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 July 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