1
a
nautical
: sufficient distance for maneuvering a ship
Keep a clear berth of the shoals.
b
: an amount of distance maintained for safety
give the fire a wide berth
giving him a wide berth until he is in a better mood
2
a
: the place where a ship lies when at anchor or at a wharf
was docked at her usual berth
b
: a space for an automotive vehicle at rest
a truck-loading berth
3
: a place to sit or sleep especially on a ship or vehicle : accommodation
a comfortable cabin with a deep berth
an upper berth
4
a
: a billet (see billet entry 1 sense 2a) on a ship
waiting for a berth as a ship's surgeon—
Bernard Keelan
Bernard Keelan
berthed; berthing; berths
1
: to bring (something, such as a ship or automotive vehicle) into a berth
The ship was berthed at this pier.
2
: to allot quarters or accommodations to : to allot a berth to
a place to berth the crew
: to come into a berth
where the ship typically berths
Examples of berth in a Sentence
Noun
a comfortable cabin with a deep berth
He has a starting berth on the all-star team.
Verb
The ship was berthed at this pier.
The ship berthed at this pier.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 21 May 2025
What’s at stake: The Mountain West tournament champion receives the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Regionals.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
In addition to the interior amenities, the estate features an array of waterfront offerings, including a 51-foot yacht currently berthed at the Corinthian Yacht Club, as well as a coveted 60-foot slip at San Francisco’s Pier 39.
—Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for berth
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Noun
The Bills, who are in search of their first Super Bowl berth since the 1993 season, are also a bit of a throwback team by today’s NFL training camp standards.
—Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 21 May 2025
What’s at stake: The Mountain West tournament champion receives the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Regionals.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Verb
These include three narrow piers, which are 131 feet wide and will possibly be primarily used to berth the Chinese destroyer fleet, the observer said.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
In addition to the interior amenities, the estate features an array of waterfront offerings, including a 51-foot yacht currently berthed at the Corinthian Yacht Club, as well as a coveted 60-foot slip at San Francisco’s Pier 39.
—Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for berth
Cite this Entry
“Berth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berth. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
berth
1 of 2 noun1
a
: enough room to maneuver a ship
b
: a safe distance
give it wide berth
2
: a place where a ship lies at anchor or at a wharf
3
: a place to sleep on a ship or train
4
berth
2 of 2 verb
: to bring or come into a berth
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