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
Synonyms
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
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024
And in Tampa, those who chose not to join the exodus out of town were giving those piles of wrecked furniture and other household items a wide berth.
—NBC News, 10 Oct. 2024
Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2024
Nine ships are berthed at the Port of Long Beach on Friday.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for berth 
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Noun
Context: From 1960-2010, in the 50 years before Tad arrived, CU had been selected for five berths in the Big Dance — an average of once per decade.
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 9 Nov. 2024
And in Tampa, those who chose not to join the exodus out of town were giving those piles of wrecked furniture and other household items a wide berth.
—NBC News, 10 Oct. 2024
Verb
The decision berthed an impressive tonnage of stories: The New York Times, New York Post, and even People covered it.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2024
Nine ships are berthed at the Port of Long Beach on Friday.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for berth
Dictionary Entries Near berth
Cite this Entry
“Berth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berth. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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