berth

1 of 2

noun

ˈbərth 

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

b

: job, position, place

a starting berth on the team

berth

2 of 2

verb

berthed; berthing; berths

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to come into a berth

where the ship typically berths

Synonyms

Noun

• position
• job

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

Noun

There’s another important realm that relates to the Padres and their pursuit of an ideal playoff berth. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025

To be fair to him, that showing was on a depleted 26-win team that wasn’t exactly aiming for a playoff berth. —Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Verb

This would increase confidence in the spacecraft's propulsion system and provide the data NASA and partner space agencies need to clear the vehicle to approach and berth with the station on its second flight. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2025

Stretched across 379 acres—complimentary trams are available for scooting around—the leisure destination can currently berth two ships, regardless of size, whereas Half Moon Cay can only be accessed via tender. —Katie Chang, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English birth, probably from beren to bear + -th

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1667, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing berth

• give (someone or something) a wide berth

Rhymes for berth

• birth
• dearth
• earth
• firth
• girth
• mirth
• worth
• afterbirth
• childbirth
• rebirth
• stillbirth
• tamworth

Kids Definition

berth

1 of 2 noun

ˈbərth 

1

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

: job sense 3, position

berth

2 of 2 verb

: to bring or come into a berth