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
The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 8 July 2025
The Rockies posted back-to-back postseason berths for the only time in franchise history, but even the Up With Purple crowd did not view them as a World Series threat.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 July 2025
Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 30 June 2025
Many of them, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, will have their superyachts berthed at Port Hercule ready to host both the best views of the race and incredible after parties.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for berth
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Noun
Still, the fact that the club was able to take two of three against the Rays should provide enough confidence that a Wild Card berth is possible.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 8 July 2025
The Rockies posted back-to-back postseason berths for the only time in franchise history, but even the Up With Purple crowd did not view them as a World Series threat.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 July 2025
Verb
According to the Chattogram Port Authority, 10 container vessels are were berthed at the port’s jetties as of Monday morning, while 19 more ships are waiting at the outer anchorage.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 30 June 2025
Many of them, including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, will have their superyachts berthed at Port Hercule ready to host both the best views of the race and incredible after parties.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 24 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 12 Jul. 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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