1
: a narrow shelf, path, or ledge typically at the top or bottom of a slope
also : a mound or wall of earth or sand
a landscaped berm
2
: the shoulder of a road
deer … feeding on the berm of the highwayNorman Erickson

Examples of berm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, these projects have benefited 67,000 acres of wetlands, with more than 71 miles of barrier islands and berms constructed since 2007. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025 Designed to fabricate landing pads, berms, roads and habitat foundations, Mason supports NASA’s vision of a sustainable human presence on the moon by the end of this decade. Shelli Brunswick, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 The location of those spaces is the same as in a plan to reduce the width of a sandy berm dividing the Kellogg Park parking lot on the west side of Camino del Oro that received narrow support from LJSA last year. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025 In July 2010, another severe storm flooded the road but the berm protected the ballpark. Ben Steele, jsonline.com, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for berm

Word History

Etymology

French berme, from Dutch berm strip of ground along a dike; akin to Middle English brimme brim

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of berm was in 1693

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Berm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berm. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

berm

noun
: a shelf or path at the top or bottom of a slope
also : a mound or wall of earth

More from Merriam-Webster on berm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!