Definition of "berth" in English

noun

1. (nautical) Chiefly in wide berth: a sufficient space in the water for a ship or other vessel to lie at anchor or manoeuvre without getting in the way of other vessels, or colliding into rocks or the shore.

2. An assigned place for a person in (chiefly historical) a horse-drawn coach or other means of transportation, or (military) in a barracks.

3. A bunk or other bed for sleeping on in a caravan, a train, etc.

4. A place for a vehicle on land to park.

5. An appointment, job, or position, especially one regarded as comfortable or good.

6. Chiefly in wide berth: a sufficient space for manoeuvring or safety.

7. A proper place for a thing.

8. A position or seed in a tournament bracket.

9. A position on a field of play.

verb

1. To bring (a ship or other vessel) into a berth (noun etymology 1, sense 1.1); also, to provide a berth for (a vessel).

2. To assign (someone) a berth (noun etymology 1, sense 1.3 or etymology 1, sense 2.2) or place to sleep on a vessel, a train, etc.

3. To provide (someone) with a berth (noun etymology 1, sense 3.1) or appointment, job, or position.

4. Of a vessel: to move into a berth.

5. Of a person: to occupy a berth.

verb

1. (archaic or historical) Chiefly in shipbuilding: to construct (a ship or part of it) using wooden boards or planks; to board, to plank.