berm

noun

ˈbərm 

1

: a narrow shelf, path, or ledge typically at the top or bottom of a slope

also : a mound or wall of earth or sand

a landscaped berm

2

: the shoulder of a road

deer … feeding on the berm of the highway

—Norman Erickson

Examples of berm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Construction of such a berm, the researchers calculated, would require about three and a half billion cubic feet of gravel and sand, which, conveniently enough, could be excavated from Greenland’s continental shelf. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

The driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a dirt berm, causing the car to roll over several times, the station reported. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024

The berm would be designed with current and future climate conditions in mind, Bathke said, a long-term solution to stop the erosion. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2024

When the berm is complete, Snow said, there'll be a trail atop it that visitors can walk. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French berme, from Dutch berm strip of ground along a dike; akin to Middle English brimme brim

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

berm

noun

ˈbərm 

: a shelf or path at the top or bottom of a slope

also : a mound or wall of earth