Berber

noun

Ber·​ber ˈbər-bər 

1

: a member of any of various peoples living in northern Africa west of Tripoli

2

a

: a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family comprising languages spoken by various peoples of northern Africa and the Sahara (such as the Tuaregs and the Kabyles)

b

: any one of the Berber languages

Examples of Berber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Conquest, Caravans and Oases: Date Palms and the Arab/Berber Maghreb Persistence and fecundity were key to the date palm’s spread across the Arabian Desert and the North African Sahara, some of Earth’s most inhospitable climates today. — Jacob Jones, JSTOR Daily, 13 Aug. 2025

Sail the sky by hot air balloon and take in the landscape by day then travel by camel to a private spot for a delicious Berber meal under the stars. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2025

Although perhaps not as crazy as their Berber grandmother, who puts both his addiction and the virus down to the Red Wind, a kind of demonic possession. — Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 19 May 2025

Here, travelers can experience local culture by savoring authentic Amazigh (Berber) cuisine, sipping tea in family-run shops, and dipping into one of the numerous local hammams. — Carlotta Dotto, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Arabic barbar

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Berber

• disturber

Kids Definition

Berber

noun

Ber·​ber ˈbər-bər 

1

: a member of a people of northwestern Africa

2

: any of a group of languages spoken in northwestern Africa