Berth

a shelflike sleeping space, as on a ship, airplane, or railroad car.
Nautical.

the space allotted to a vessel at anchor or at a wharf.
the distance maintained between a vessel and the shore, another vessel, or any object.
the position or rank of a ship’s officer.
the cabin of a ship’s officer.

a job; position.
a place, listing, or role:
She clinched a berth on our tennis team.
Nautical.

to allot to (a vessel) a certain space at which to anchor or tie up.
to bring to or install in a berth, anchorage, or moorage:
The captain had to berth the ship without the aid of tugboats.

to provide with a sleeping space, as on a train.
Nautical. to come to a dock, anchorage, or moorage.
give a wide berth to, to shun; remain discreetly away from:
Since his riding accident, he has given a wide berth to skittish horses.
Contemporary Examples

The Story of the American Journalists Who Landed on D-Day Timothy M. Gay June 5, 2012
Skiing Prodigy Mikaela Shiffrin Looks Ahead to Sochi Jake Bright November 30, 2013

Historical Examples

Nan Sherwood at Palm Beach Annie Roe Carr
Quaint Courtships Various
Motor Matt’s Peril, or, Cast Away in the Bahamas Stanley R. Matthews
Ned Myers James Fenimore Cooper
The Alaskan James Oliver Curwood
Ned Myers James Fenimore Cooper
They Looked and Loved Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller
Ned Myers James Fenimore Cooper

noun
a bed or bunk in a vessel or train, usually narrow and fixed to a wall
(nautical) a place assigned to a ship at a mooring
(nautical) sufficient distance from the shore or from other ships or objects for a ship to manoeuvre
give a wide berth to, to keep clear of; avoid
(nautical) accommodation on a ship
(informal) a job, esp as a member of a ship’s crew
verb
(transitive) (nautical) to assign a berth to (a vessel)
(nautical) to dock (a vessel)
(transitive) to provide with a sleeping place, as on a vessel or train
(intransitive) (nautical) to pick up a mooring in an anchorage
n.
v.
see: give a wide berth to