berth
a shelflike sleeping space, as on a ship, airplane, or railroad car.
Nautical.
the space allotted to a vessel at anchor or at a wharf.
the distance maintained between a vessel and the shore, another vessel, or any object.
the position or rank of a ship's officer.
the cabin of a ship's officer.
a job; position.
a place, listing, or role: She clinched a berth on our tennis team.
Nautical.
to allot to (a vessel) a certain space at which to anchor or tie up.
to bring to or install in a berth, anchorage, or moorage: The captain had to berth the ship without the aid of tugboats.
to provide with a sleeping space, as on a train.
Nautical. to come to a dock, anchorage, or moorage.
Idioms about berth
give a wide berth to, to shun; remain discreetly away from: Since his riding accident, he has given a wide berth to skittish horses.
Origin of berth
1Other words for berth
Other words from berth
- un·berth, verb (used with object)
Words that may be confused with berth
- berth , birth
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use berth in a sentence
The ship had berthing room for eight or ten people irrespective of the officers who slept aft.
It was moored just at the entrance to the dock or mole, and was in charge of an official who regulated the berthing of vessels.
Looking Seaward Again | Walter RuncimanAft of this compartment is located the crew's quarters, berthing eight men, with lavatory attached.
Kelly Miller's History of the World War for Human Rights | Kelly MillerTo him each midshipman reported, saluting, stated his name, and received his berthing.
Dave Darrin's Second Year at Annapolis | H. Irving HancockThe rest of his companions had to hasten to assist in the berthing of the airship.
The Dreadnought of the Air | Percy F. Westerman
British Dictionary definitions for berth
/ (bɜːθ) /
a bed or bunk in a vessel or train, usually narrow and fixed to a wall
nautical a place assigned to a ship at a mooring
nautical sufficient distance from the shore or from other ships or objects for a ship to manoeuvre
give a wide berth to to keep clear of; avoid
nautical accommodation on a ship
informal a job, esp as a member of a ship's crew
(tr) nautical to assign a berth to (a vessel)
nautical to dock (a vessel)
(tr) to provide with a sleeping place, as on a vessel or train
(intr) nautical to pick up a mooring in an anchorage
Origin of berth
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with berth
see give a wide berth to.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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