plural berths
1
: a place to sleep on a ship, train, etc.
a comfortable cabin with a deep berth
an upper/lower berth
2
: a place in the water near the shore where a ship stops and stays
3
chiefly US
: a place or position on a team
She won an Olympic berth. = She earned a berth on her country's Olympic team.
He has a starting berth on the all-star team.
berths; berthed; berthing
: to bring (a ship) into a place where it can stop and stay : to bring (a ship) into a berth
The ship was berthed at this pier.
The ship berthed at this pier.
Cite this Entry
“Berth.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/berth. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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