berth

[ burth ]

noun

1. a shelflike sleeping space, as on a ship, airplane, or railroad car.
2. Nautical.
   1. the space allotted to a vessel at anchor or at a wharf.
   2. the distance maintained between a vessel and the shore, another vessel, or any object.
   3. the position or rank of a ship's officer.
   4. the cabin of a ship's officer.
3. a job; position.
4. a place, listing, or role:

   She clinched a berth on our tennis team.

   Synonyms: appointment, niche, post, position, slot, spot

verb (used with object)

1. Nautical.
   1. to allot to (a vessel) a certain space at which to anchor or tie up.
   2. to bring to or install in a berth, anchorage, or moorage:

      The captain had to berth the ship without the aid of tugboats.

2. to provide with a sleeping space, as on a train.

verb (used without object)

1. Nautical. to come to a dock, anchorage, or moorage.

berth

/ bɜːθ /

noun

1. a bed or bunk in a vessel or train, usually narrow and fixed to a wall
2. nautical a place assigned to a ship at a mooring
3. nautical sufficient distance from the shore or from other ships or objects for a ship to manoeuvre
4. give a wide berth to
   to keep clear of; avoid
5. nautical accommodation on a ship
6. informal.
   a job, esp as a member of a ship's crew

verb

1. tr nautical to assign a berth to (a vessel)
2. nautical to dock (a vessel)
3. tr to provide with a sleeping place, as on a vessel or train
4. intr nautical to pick up a mooring in an anchorage

Other Words From

• un·berth verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of berth¹

First recorded in 1615–25; probably equivalent to bear ¹ + -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of berth¹

C17: probably from bear ¹+ -th ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. give a wide berth to, to shun; remain discreetly away from:

   Since his riding accident, he has given a wide berth to skittish horses.

More idioms and phrases containing berth

see give a wide berth to .

Example Sentences

Unable to berth, they headed to Harris for shelter - then returned to North Uist.

From BBC

UCLA’s quest to scratch and claw its way to a bowl berth after a slow start to the season continues.

From Los Angeles Times

A plan to charter an extra large vessel, MV Ben-My-Chree, from the Isle of Man Steam Package Company was dashed last week when the ship was unable to berth safely at Brodick harbour on Arran.

From BBC

The Pioneers host Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, which received an at-large berth out of the Mission League after missing out last season.

From Los Angeles Times

I would have given wide berth to the man we spotted across the street, who was swaying slightly and holding onto a corner fence post as if for support.

From Salon

Related Words

• dock
• port
• wharf