heft

[ heft ]

noun

1. weight; heaviness:

   It was a rather flimsy chair, without much heft to it.

2. significance or importance.
3. Archaic. the bulk or main part.

verb (used with object)

1. to test the weight of by lifting and balancing:

   He hefted the spear for a few moments, and then flung it at the foe.

2. to heave; hoist.

heft

/ hɛft /

verb

1. to assess the weight of (something) by lifting
2. to lift

noun

1. weight
2. the main part

Derived Forms

• ˈhefter, noun

Other Words From

• hefter noun
• un·hefted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heft¹

1550–60; heave + -t, variant of -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of heft¹

C19: probably from heave , by analogy with thieve, theft, cleave, cleft

Example Sentences

There was both heft and elegance, a rare combination.

From BBC

For that, Juson cast Black actors to add emotional heft to historical statements, and to make it impossible to ignore the reality of the Electoral College’s origins in slavery.

From Salon

In essence, “The Book of Carol” lacks the layered heft those who were pleasantly surprised by the previous chapter might have expected.

From Salon

Hand-fed several times a day, Ms Early says Pesto’s considerable heft is also partly attributable to his "very healthy appetite" - a gentle way of saying he gobbles up to 30 fish daily.

From BBC

This latest incident may not pack the emotional heft as the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, however.

From BBC

Related Words

• bear
• bring
• ferry
• give
• haul
• hoist
• import
• lift
• lug
• move
• pack
• remove
• take
• tote
• transfer
• transmit