heaving

[ hee-ving ]

adjective

1. rising and falling rhythmically or with a swelling motion, as ocean waves or the chest of someone breathing:

   He ran down the slippery gangway to the heaving deck of the steamer.

2. characterized by surging or pulsing movement, as of a mass of people or vehicles:

   When the opening chords of the song rang out, there was a stampede into the heaving mosh pit.

   She discovered that even in a heaving metropolis it is possible to live in symbiosis with nature.

3. (of breathing, a sigh, etc.) performed with effort:

   He felt dizzy from the quick, heaving breaths he was drawing.

   She let out a heaving sigh and let the wrench clang to the floor.

4. rising as if thrust up by some force; swelling or bulging:

   Emergency repairs are required on I-95 due to heaving asphalt caused by years of freezing and thawing.

5. vomiting or throwing up:

   Whenever someone mentions motion sickness, I remember that three-hour car trip to Grandma's with a heaving child in the backseat.

noun

1. the act of rising as if thrust up by some force, or of rising and falling with a rhythmic swelling motion:

   The only motion was the heaving of their chests as they stood still for a minute, catching their breath.

   The heaving of sidewalks by tree roots often results when the planting strip is too narrow to accommodate the trees.

2. the act of performing a sigh, breath, etc., with effort:

   It’s easy to be sympathetic when it costs no more than the shedding of a few tears, the heaving of a sigh, or the uttering of a soft word.

3. the act of lifting or throwing something with effort or force:

   The heaving of garbage at a criminal in the stocks was common—and sometimes fatal.

   His leadership was marked by a constant heaving of himself into the foremost position in every situation.

4. the act of vomiting or throwing up:

   My numerous trips to the open bar were followed by some unfortunate heaving into a bucket.

Word History and Origins

Origin of heaving¹

First recorded in 1575–85; heave ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; heave ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

The director’s love of opera is what makes sense of this huge, heaving epic.

From Los Angeles Times

Love was attempting to throw the ball away to avoid a sack and a safety, heaving the ball blindly and into McCollough’s arms near the goal line.

From Los Angeles Times

None are desirable — especially the one involving heaving something other than a baseball — yet the former Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High star is a serious Cy Young Award contender in his third major league season.

From Los Angeles Times

The victims, including two teenagers and a 9-year-old boy, suffocated in the midst of the heaving crowd while Mr. Scott performed.

From New York Times

I pressed myself against the base of the plateau and quieted my heaving breaths.

From Literature