berths

Berth is a term used in maritime and lodging contexts. In maritime usage, a berth refers to a designated location in a harbor or harbor facility where a vessel can be docked or moored. It can include a quay, finger pier, or a slip and is assigned by port authorities as part of berthing plans.

In port operations, berths are arranged by capacity, depth, and services, to match vessel size, draft, and cargo type. A vessel may be "taken in berth" or "shifted to another berth" as operations demand. The term differs from dock or mooring; a berth is the space along a structure where the ship's side is secured.

Berth also refers to a sleeping space. On ships, trains, or in hostels, a berth is a bunk or bed within a cabin or compartment. A passenger cabin may be described as having multiple berths, such as two-berth or four-berth arrangements. In hospitals or dormitories, a berth may denote a single bed in a shared ward or dorm.

Other usage: "to berth" is a verb meaning to bring a vessel to rest at a berth and secure it. In some contexts, the term can be used metaphorically to indicate a place in a queue or a role one may occupy. The word is common in nautical terminology across English-speaking regions.