Meaning & use
the berm
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountabletechnical
A flat strip of land, often raised, that separates two areas or runs along a slope.
Grammar: Countable: you can use 'a berm' or 'the berms'.
Patterns
- build a berm
- a berm along something
The landscapers built a berm along the edge of the property to block noise from the road.
A low berm separates the vegetable garden from the lawn.
The cyclists rode along the berm beside the highway.
nouncountabletechnical
A raised bank of earth used to hold back water or to keep a canal from overflowing.
Grammar: Countable: often used with 'build', 'construct', or 'reinforce'.
Patterns
- build a berm
- reinforce the berm
The city reinforced the berm to prevent flooding during heavy rains.
Engineers designed a berm to redirect the flow of the river away from the village.
The old berm had eroded, so water spilled into the fields.
Word forms
| plural | berms |
|---|
Common combinations
- build a berm
- They built a berm to keep the sand from blowing onto the road.
- a berm of earth
- A berm of earth had been piled up around the construction site.
- along the berm
- We walked along the berm that ran beside the canal.
Synonyms and how they differ
- embankment
- A raised bank of earth or stone, often larger and used to carry a road or railway; 'berm' is usually smaller and more specific.
- ledge
- A narrow shelf-like projection; 'berm' is specifically a flat strip of land, often of earth.
- bank
- A general term for the side of a river or a raised area; 'berm' is more technical and refers to a constructed or natural flat strip.
Commonly confused: the berm or barm?
the berm vs barm
'Barm' is a British word for the foam on beer. 'Berm' is a raised bank of earth.
Practice
What is a berm?
Choose one answer.
A berm is a raised bank or flat strip of land, often of earth, used to separate areas or control water. The other options are unrelated.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the berm”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.