berthing


berth

B0206800 (bûrth)n.1. Sufficient space for a vessel to maneuver; sea room: kept a clear berth of the reefs.2. A space for a vessel to dock or anchor: a steamship moored to its berth at the pier.3. a. Employment on a vessel: 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 vessel) 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.
[Middle English birth; perhaps akin to beren, to bear; see bear1.]