berth

1 of 2

noun

ˈbərth 

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

b

: job, position, place

a starting berth on the team

berth

2 of 2

verb

berthed; berthing; berths

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to come into a berth

where the ship typically berths

Synonyms

Noun

• appointment
• billet
• capacity
• connection
• function
• job
• place
• position
• post
• situation

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

Noun

Beat the Panthers, who have just a 1% chance of a playoff berth, and their chances rise to 61%. —Jim Sergent, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

The 30-year-old and now might find more money — and a more comfortable berth in a starting rotation — outside Los Angeles. —Jon Paul Hoornstra, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

Verb

The port is just under 1,000 miles from the Ukrainian border and was flagged in 2021 for expansion to be able to berth at least 50 Caspian Flotilla ships. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English birth, probably from beren to bear + -th

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1667, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing berth

• give (someone or something) a wide berth

Kids Definition

berth

1 of 2 noun

ˈbərth 

1

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

: job sense 3, position

berth

2 of 2 verb

: to bring or come into a berth