berm

[ burm ]

noun

1. Also berme. Fortification. a horizontal surface between the exterior slope of a rampart and the moat.
2. Also called bench. any level strip of ground at the summit or sides, or along the base, of a slope.
3. Also called backshore, a nearly flat back portion of a beach, formed of material deposited by the action of the waves.
4. Chiefly Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. the bank of a canal or the shoulder of a road.
5. Chiefly Alaska. a mound of snow or dirt, as formed when clearing land.
6. a bank of earth placed against an exterior wall or walls of a house or other building as protection against extremes of temperature.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or protect with a berm:

   The side walls were bermed to a height of three feet.

berm

/ bɜːm /

noun

1. a narrow path or ledge at the edge of a slope, road, or canal
2. the grass verge of a suburban street, usually kept mown
3. fortifications a narrow path or ledge between a moat and a rampart
4. military a man-made ridge of sand, designed as an obstacle to tanks, which, in crossing it, have to expose their vulnerable underparts

berm

/ bûrm /

1. A nearly horizontal or landward-sloping portion of a beach formed by the deposition of sediment by storm waves. A beach may have no berm at all, or it may have more than one berm.
2. A narrow man-made ledge or shelf, as along the top or bottom of a slope.

Word History and Origins

Origin of berm¹

1720–30; < French berme < Dutch berm; akin to brim ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of berm¹

C18: from French berme , from Dutch berm , probably from Old Norse barmr brim

Example Sentences

Clearing the burned plants, amending the fire-scarred soil so it wouldn’t repel water, and buying new plants, landscaping cloth, berms to hold the soil and irrigation lines cost more than $26,000.

From Los Angeles Times

The driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a dirt berm, causing the car to roll over several times, the station reported.

From Los Angeles Times

Strolling through the garden, stone slabs guide footsteps between sculpted berms and impressive boulders.

From Seattle Times

You can spread a blanket on the grassy berm overlooking right field, and there’s a good chance a local 15-year-old will be singing the national anthem.

From Los Angeles Times

A dirt berm separates the area from nearby buildings.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• boundary
• brink
• corner
• end
• fringe
• line
• lip
• margin
• mouth
• outskirt
• perimeter
• rim
• shore
• threshold
• verge