berth

The definition of a berth is a built-in space to sleep on a boat or train, the space required for a ship to maneuver safely and a place where a ship is intended to dock.

(noun)

  1. An example of a berth is a space much like a shelf on which you sleep in a boat or a train.
  2. An example of a berth is staying at least one mile away from all other ships.
  3. An example of a berth is an assigned tie-up space at a marina.

To berth is to put a ship in its specific place or to find a space for someone to rest.

(verb)

  1. An example of someone who may berth is a captain of a ship.
  2. An example of someone who may berth is a staff member on a boat.

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See berth in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. enough space at sea to keep clear of another ship, the shore, etc.
  2. space for anchoring or tying up
  3. a ship's place of anchorage
  4. a position, place, office, job, etc.: a berth as chief engineer on the ship
    1. a built-in bed or bunk, as in a ship's cabin or a Pullman car
    2. any sleeping place

Origin: < base of bear + -th

transitive verb

  1. to put into a berth
  2. to furnish with a berth

intransitive verb

to come into or occupy a berth

See berth in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Sufficient space for a ship to maneuver; sea room: kept a clear berth of the reefs.
  2. A space for a ship to dock or anchor: a steamship moored to its berth at the pier.
  3. a. Employment on a ship: sought an officer's berth in the merchant marine.
    b. A job: a comfortable berth as head of the department.
  4. a. A built-in bed or bunk, as on a ship or a train.
    b. A place to sleep or stay; accommodations: found a berth in a nearby hotel.
  5. A space where a vehicle can be parked, as for loading.
verb berthed, berth·ing, berths
verb, transitive
  1. To bring (a ship) to a berth.
  2. To provide with a berth.
verb, intransitive
To come to a berth; dock.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English birth

Origin: ; perhaps akin to beren, to bear; see Bear 1

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