berm

noun

ˈbərm 

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 highway …

—Norman Erickson

Examples of berm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Spencer moved through the area and used a berm for cover while exchanging gunfire with deputies, Woo said. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

The pursuit eventually led officers into the forest outside Sacramento, where 44-year-old Derek Spencer held them at bay by hiding and firing from behind a berm until he was shot and killed, authorities said. — Breaking News, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Seasonal sand berms to limit coastal flooding and protect public safety will begin to go up along the beach in the next week, and the San Dieguito Lagoon inlet will also be dredged, likely in the first two weeks of November. — Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2026

Conner Prairie is in the midst of assessing damage after the recent storms caused water from the White River to overflow protective berms at the Hamilton County living history museum. — Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 18 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for berm

• ferm
• firm
• germ
• herm
• sperm
• squirm
• term
• therm
• worm
• wurm
• affirm
• bookworm

Kids Definition

berm

noun

ˈbərm 

: a shelf or path at the top or bottom of a slope

also : a mound or wall of earth