berth of a ship

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   the place at a dock or pier where a ship stops to load, unload, or stay

   Grammar: Use it as a noun phrase: 'The berth of a ship was free.' For a specific ship, say 'the ship's berth'.

   Patterns

   • the berth of a ship
   • a berth for a ship
   • at the berth of a ship

   The berth of a ship is usually marked with numbers on the dock.

   They waited near the berth of a ship to welcome the passengers.

   The port expanded to add another berth of a ship for cargo vessels.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   the space kept clear for a ship to maneuver or tie up safely

   Grammar: Often used with 'give' or 'keep': 'Give the berth of a ship plenty of room.'

   Patterns

   • give a wide berth of a ship
   • keep clear of the berth of a ship

   Small boats should give the berth of a ship a wide clearance.

   The harbor master checked the berth of a ship before the storm arrived.

Common combinations

a safe berth

The captain found a safe berth for the night.

tie up at a berth

The ferry tied up at its berth at six o'clock.

a berth for a ship

The new terminal provides a berth for a ship of any size.

give a wide berth

Sailors give a wide berth to rocks near the shore.

Synonyms and how they differ

dock

A dock is the whole structure or area where ships come; a berth is the specific spot within it.

mooring

Mooring refers to the act or place of tying a boat; a berth is the space itself.

anchorage

Anchorage is an open area where a ship anchors, not a place at a pier.

Word family

berth noun

A place to sleep on a train or boat, or a ship's docking place.

Commonly confused: berth of a ship or birth?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “berth of a ship”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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