Definition of heave to in US English:

phrasal verb

• (of a boat or ship) come to a stop, especially by turning across the wind leaving the headsail backed.

  ‘he hove to and dropped anchor’

  More example sentences

  • ‘The ship was hove to and the men in charge of patching were swung over in rope slings.’
  • ‘The boat heaves to under power and waits, the skipper aware of the half-mile visibility in haze.’
  • ‘‘You will also practise being captain of your own ship, repairing the engine and heaving to in a storm,’ she said.’
  • ‘As they approached the coast of Western Australia the wind blew too heavily for the ship to make landfall and they had to heave to with close reefed topsails.’
  • ‘Seeking water, Alexander heaved to and sent out a boat.’