Bern

or Berne (bûrn, bĕrn)

The capital of Switzerland, in the west-central part of the country on the Aare River. Founded as a military post in 1191, it became part of the Swiss Confederation in 1353 and its capital in 1848.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Bern

(bɜːn; German bɛrn)

1. (Placename) the capital of Switzerland, in the W part, on the Aar River: entered the Swiss confederation in 1353 and became the capital in 1848. Pop: 122 700 (2002 est)

2. (Placename) a canton of Switzerland, between the French frontier and the Bernese Alps. Capital: Bern. Pop: 950 200 (2002 est). Area: 6884 sq km (2658 sq miles)

French name: Berne

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Bern

or Berne

(bɜrn, bɛərn)

n.

1. the capital of Switzerland, in the W part: capital of Bern canton. 136,300.

2. a canton in W Switzerland. 941,952; 2658 sq. mi. (6885 sq. km). Cap.: Bern.

Ber•nese (ˈbɜr niz, -nis, bɜrˈniz, -ˈnis) adj., n., pl. -nese.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

Bern - the capital of Switzerland; located in western Switzerland

Berne, capital of Switzerland

Schweiz, Suisse, Svizzera, Swiss Confederation, Switzerland - a landlocked federal republic in central Europe

Translations

Bern

BernБерн

Bern

[bɜːn] N → Berna f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

Bern

[ˈbɜː^rn] n → Berne

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

Bern

[bɜːn] n → Berna f

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

"I do not know," replied the RÃ©moise, "'twas just at that time that my husband bought the office of notary, at Bern, two leagues from the town, and we were no longer occupied with that story; besides, in front of Bern, stand the two hills of Cernay, which hide the towers of the cathedral in Reims from view."

View in context

The EU has made its recognition of stock exchanges contingent on Bern signing the deal.

Switzerland On Brink Of Losing EU Stock Market Access

Bern was a site officer on a housebuilding project in the Wirral, finding lots of problems with the construction.

Career in Nigeria had its moments; CLUB'S SPEAKER Bern tells of time as builder and lecturer in far-off land

The Devils piled on the pressure throughout the opening period and had Bern on the back foot early in the game.

Devils feeling the Bern despite a heroic effort in Champions League

Bern, who now runs the firm Bern Ripka LLP, represented 9/11 responders sickened in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

9/11 lawyer penthouse sale

In addition to this property, Hawkins has also redeveloped the former Montgomery Ward location in New Bern into a 12-acre medical park.

Maola Milk & Ice Cream Processing Plant Sold to Local Redeveloper

On his part, the mayor of Bern hoped that the twin agreement signed by Bern and Kuwait's Ahmadi Governorate would lead to more exchange of experience through joint personnel visits.

Kuwait envoy to Switzerland, Bern mayor discuss bilateral ties

Bern peered between the wires, into the bird's dark eye.

Basement and Roof

These combine with the world's largest exhibit about the life and work of Albert Einstein, and the new BearPark on the edge of the Old Town, to make Bern an unparalleled experience for young and old alike.

Bern: the Swiss capital once only attracted visitors in the know; now it is on everyone's must-see list

Bern oedd canwr y grwep 'Elfyn Presli' o ardal Porthmadog /Penrhyndeudraeth.

Cofio clasuron pync a phop, a'r athrylith ,'u creodd nhw

Thousands gathered to see Bern's newest tourist attraction, but bears have been linked with the city for centuries.

Bern to be wild; You have to grin and bear it when you visit Switzerland's latest tourist attraction. LINDA RICHARDS reports from Bern