berth

American  

[burth] / bɜrθ /

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

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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.

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.

berth British  

/ 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. to keep clear of; avoid

5. nautical accommodation on a ship

6. informal a job, esp as a member of a ship's crew

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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

berth More Idioms  

1. see give a wide berth to.

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Other Word Forms

• unberth verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of berth

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

Example Sentences

The Rams, who have already clinched a playoff berth, had gone into Monday's game in Atlanta hoping for a win to boost their postseason seeding.

From Barron's

That might hurt their chance$ at a playoff berth.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chargers clinched a playoff berth this week but are looking for more than a wild-card spot.

From Los Angeles Times

He passed for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-17 win over the Cowboys that led to the Chargers clinching a playoff berth Monday with San Francisco’s win over Indianapolis.

From Los Angeles Times

By virtue of the Indianapolis Colts losing to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, the Chargers secured a playoff berth, and the division title and top seed in the AFC are still in play.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dock
• port
• wharf