# berth

**Pronunciation:** /bɜːθ/ · berth

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** noun

## Meaning 1: Nautical

A designated space where a ship or boat can be moored, or a bunk or sleeping place on a ship, train, or other vehicle.

## Examples

- The cruise ship slowly maneuvered into its assigned berth at the busy port.
- On the overnight train, I managed to secure a comfortable upper berth for my journey.
- The captain requested a deeper berth for the large cargo vessel carrying heavy machinery.

## Meaning 2: Figurative

A job or position, especially on a ship or in an organization.

## Examples

- He was offered a good berth on the new research vessel.
- After years of hard work, she finally earned a senior berth in the company.
- Many young graduates are seeking a secure berth in the competitive tech industry.

## Meaning 3: Verb

To moor a ship or boat in its allocated place, or to provide a sleeping place for someone.

## Examples

- The captain decided to berth the yacht at the private marina for the night.
- The train conductor helped the passengers berth their luggage in the compartments.
- We need to berth the fishing boat before the storm arrives.

## Meaning 4: Idiom

To avoid someone or something, often because it is dangerous or unpleasant (used as 'give a wide berth').

## Examples

- After their argument, she decided to give her colleague a wide berth at the office party.
- Experienced hikers know to give bears a wide berth in the wilderness.
- The locals always give that abandoned house a wide berth, believing it to be haunted.

## Synonyms

- dock — A general structure for mooring ships; can be a verb or noun.
- mooring — A place or device for mooring a vessel, often implying a fixed point.
- anchorage — A place suitable for a ship to anchor, often a wider area than a specific berth.
- bunk — Specifically refers to a narrow bed, often stacked, on a ship or train.

## Antonyms

- sea — The open water, away from a safe mooring.
- departure — The act of leaving a berth or station.

## Common patterns

- give a wide berth — To avoid someone or something. — It's wise to give that area of the city a wide berth after dark.
- berth at — To moor a ship at a specific location. — The ferry will berth at pier 7.
- berth for — A space or position for someone/something. — Is there a berth for my bicycle on the train?

## Collocations

- secure a berth — We managed to secure a berth for the night at the crowded harbor.
- deep-water berth — Large tankers require a deep-water berth to safely unload their cargo.
- upper/lower berth — On the sleeper train, I preferred the lower berth for easier access.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/berthed

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