heave to
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To cause (one's vessel) to become dead in the water by pointing the bows directly towards the wind.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To come to a halt.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “heave to” mean?
To cause (one's vessel) to become dead in the water by pointing the bows directly towards the wind.
Is “heave to” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.