berm

noun

ˈbərm How to pronounce berm (audio)
1
: a narrow shelf, path, or ledge typically at the top or bottom of a slope
also : a mound or wall of earth or sand
a landscaped berm
2
: the shoulder of a road
… deer … feeding on the berm of the highway …—Norman Erickson

Examples of berm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Is the constant construction noise, and view-blocking berm, disturbing the vibe for the people behind those enormous, gleaming picture windows? — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 Crews on Tuesday mostly mopped up and removed berms and fire breaks erected during firefighting efforts, Cal Fire officials said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The district claimed the firing line at the gun range faces toward the school and that, while there are berms to stop bullets, the owner of the gun range said someone could theoretically fire over the berms. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026 Others were injured at the Tesla Supercharger in the parking lot of the Twin Falls Visitor Center, which is just down a berm from the In-N-Out. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for berm

Word History

Etymology

French berme, from Dutch berm strip of ground along a dike; akin to Middle English brimme brim

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of berm was in 1693

Rhymes for berm

See All Rhymes for berm

Browse Nearby Words

Berlusconi
berm
bermanite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Berm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berm. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

berm

noun
ˈbərm How to pronounce berm (audio)
: a shelf or path at the top or bottom of a slope
also : a mound or wall of earth

More from Merriam-Webster on berm

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about berm

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