A berm is a raised barrier that is used to separate different areas or to control water flow. It can be made from a variety of materials, including soil, rocks, and concrete, and can range in size from small mounds to large embankments. Berms are commonly used in landscaping, construction, and environmental projects.
Definitions
A berm is defined as a raised strip of land, usually made of soil, that is used to separate or contain different areas. It can also refer to a barrier or ridge that is used to control water flow or to protect against erosion.
Origin
The word berm comes from the Dutch word “berm” which means “edge” or “bank”. It was first used in English in the 17th century to describe the raised banks that were used to separate fields or to protect against flooding.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a berm is “a narrow ledge or shelf, typically at the bottom or top of a slope”. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “a narrow strip of land raised above the surrounding area, typically for the purpose of separating different areas or controlling water flow”.
Associations
Berms are commonly associated with landscaping, where they are used to create raised beds, separate different areas of a garden, or provide a barrier between a lawn and a driveway or sidewalk. They are also used in construction to control water flow, protect against erosion, or to create a barrier between different areas of a building site.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for berm include ridge, bank, embankment, levee, and dike.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for berm, but the opposite of a raised barrier would be a depression or low-lying area.
The same root words
The word berm is derived from the Dutch word “berm”, which is related to the Old English word “beorma”, meaning “edge” or “brink”. It is also related to the German word “Berm”, which means “ridge” or “bank”.
Example Sentences
- The berm around the garden bed keeps the soil in place and separates it from the lawn.
- The construction crew built a berm to control water flow and prevent erosion on the building site.
- The river overflowed its banks and breached the berm, causing flooding in the surrounding area.
- The bike trail runs along the top of the berm, providing a scenic view of the surrounding landscape.