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
Dan Albano, Oc Register, 6 May 2025
The season isn’t quite a third of the way gone and the Galaxy are already 23 points out of first place and 13 points out of a playoff berth.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025
Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
There are currently only six vessels berthed at both ports, three at each, according to Nolan.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for berth
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Noun
Canyon would earn the league’s No. 1 automatic playoff berth based on winning the league series 2-1 against Cypress, which would take the league’s second CIF bid.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 6 May 2025
The season isn’t quite a third of the way gone and the Galaxy are already 23 points out of first place and 13 points out of a playoff berth.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025
Verb
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
There are currently only six vessels berthed at both ports, three at each, according to Nolan.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 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 20 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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