Heave to meaning

To exert force or effort in order to lift or move something heavy.


Heave to definitions

Word backwards evaeh ot
Part of speech The word "heave" is a verb.
Syllabic division heave to = heave/to
Plural The plural of "heave to" is "heave to."
Total letters 7
Vogais (3) e,a,o
Consonants (3) h,v,t

Heaving to is a sailing technique used to slow down or stop a sailboat without taking down sails completely. It is particularly useful during storms or rough seas when a sailor needs to maintain control of the boat while waiting for conditions to improve.

How to Heave To

To heave to, a sailor will typically turn the boat's bow into the wind and adjust the sails in such a way that they counteract each other. This causes the boat to stop forward momentum and drift sideways, providing stability without needing constant steering.

Benefits of Heaving To

One of the main benefits of heaving to is the ability to pause and assess the situation without having to drop anchor. This can be crucial in situations where anchoring is not possible or safe, such as in deep water or during a storm.

When to Heave To

Heaving to is often used when the wind and waves are too strong to safely continue sailing, or when a sailor needs to perform tasks on the boat that require stability. It can also be used as a way to wait out a storm without putting excessive strain on the boat or crew.

Overall, heaving to is a valuable skill for any sailor to learn, providing a safe and effective way to handle challenging conditions while out at sea.


Heave to Examples

  1. The sailors had to heave the anchor up from the ocean floor.
  2. She had to heave the heavy box onto the top shelf.
  3. The football player made a heave towards the end zone.
  4. After a long hike, he began to heave from exhaustion.
  5. The workers had to heave the boulder out of the road.
  6. With great effort, they managed to heave the broken down car off the road.
  7. The chef had to heave the large pot off the stove carefully.
  8. She could feel her chest heave with emotion as she listened to the beautiful music.
  9. He had to heave himself over the fence to get to the other side.
  10. The weight lifter had to heave the heavy barbell over his head for the final rep.


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  • Updated 12/04/2024 - 16:09:23