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

My father is Berber and arrived in Italy from Morocco in the 1980s. — Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026

The suspect, Rosario Raul Rodriguez Cazares, 49, is charged in the killing of a 43-year-old man, identified in court documents as Ignacio Berber Zavala. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025

Downstairs, the Suite Ocre is another standout, steeped in a sensual delight of Oriental ruby tapestries, soft lighting and Berber-style Moroccan furnishings. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 5 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