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

But in Newport Beach, officials said the city had so far avoided major damage and flooding after working around the clock to shore up berms. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Oceanfront homes in coastal California cities, such as Long Beach and Newport Beach, were partially submerged as heavy surf breached sand berms that had been erected to keep the water away. — Adrian Florido, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

The ridge, or beach berm, is the wide, flat beach in front of the boardwalk and dunes. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 29 Sep. 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