Berthing

berth  (bûrth)

n.

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.

v. berthed, berth·ing, berths

v.tr.

1. To bring (a ship) to a berth.

2. To provide with a berth.

v.intr.

To come to a berth; dock.

Idiom:

a wide berth

Ample space or distance to avoid an unwanted consequence: gave their angry colleague a wide berth.

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[Middle English birth; perhaps akin to beren, to bear; see bear¹.]