berm

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'berm' is correct and can be used in written English.
A "berm" is a raised strip or bank of land, often used as a barrier or to direct water flow. It can also refer to a flat strip of land between two hills or ridges. Example: The construction workers built a berm around the perimeter of the construction site to prevent water from flooding into the area.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At one corner of the berm, a group of Iraqi army soldiers in boxer shorts and T-shirts caked with dust and sweat stood dazed under a scorching sun.

The Guardian

The berm, as it is known, cuts through farmland and orchards, separating the shrinking lands of the Iraqi state as it has existed for 95 years from the expanding territory of the new Islamic caliphate.

The Guardian

Instead of foxholes or shelters, they had spread coloured mattresses and blankets on the berm, giving it the look of a giant laundry line.

The Guardian

During the deep freeze this means climbing a steep icy berm and then trying not to slide down the other side.

The Economist

Delta 1086, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80, was landing at LaGuardia in a snowstorm when it skidded off the runway and into an earthen berm that separates the airport from Flushing Bay.

The Economist

Earlier this month ISIS took a symbolic step towards creating a new Islamic state by bulldozing a berm on the line drawn by French and British diplomats to divide Syria from Iraq all those years ago.In this section How far can Amazon go?

The Economist

Prehistoric Native Americans built a variety of earth berm structures in addition to effigy mounds, including conical, linear, and flat-topped mounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When the sun comes up, we'll be across the berm.

Independent

I pulled onto the left-hand berm to investigate.

The New Yorker

The Iraqi sergeant recalled, "We told them, 'If you guys are innocent, you will get released.' " Leaving Komar-Abdullah's house, Girouard's soldiers climbed over a nearby berm, and discovered an adobe-brick house partly enclosed by a chicken-wire fence.

The New Yorker

When they were finished, the sand would lie up to fifteen feet deep, with a two-hundred-foot-long berm raised to twelve feet above mean low water, a one-to-twenty slope to the water and a one-to-ten slope after that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing landscapes or construction projects, use "berm" to specifically denote a constructed bank of earth or a naturally occurring ridge. This adds precision to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "berm" interchangeably with general terms like "hill" or "slope". "Berm" refers to a specific type of raised structure or landform, often man-made for a particular purpose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "berm" is as a noun, referring to a raised bank or shelf of earth. Ludwig examples show its use in describing geographical features and construction elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "berm" is a noun that refers to a raised bank or shelf of earth. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. When writing, use "berm" to precisely describe raised landforms or constructed barriers in landscape descriptions or technical documents. Avoid confusing it with general terms like "hill" or "slope". The term's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker indicates its widespread acceptance and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

embankment

A raised bank or level used to carry a road or railroad, or to retain earth.

ridge

A long, narrow elevated crest of land.

mound

A heap or raised pile of earth, stones, or other material.

terrace

A level paved area or platform next to a building; a raised piece of land.

levee

An embankment designed to prevent the flooding of a river.

bank

The land alongside a body of water.

shoulder

The edge of a road or highway.

ledge

A narrow horizontal projection from a wall or cliff.

escarpment

A long, steep slope, especially one at the edge of a plateau or separating areas of land at different heights.

breakwater

A structure protecting a coast or harbor from waves.

FAQs

How to use "berm" in a sentence?

The construction crew built a protective "berm" around the site to prevent flooding.

What's the difference between a "berm" and an "embankment"?

While both are raised structures, a "berm" is often smaller and may serve purposes beyond just containment, while an "embankment" is typically larger and designed to retain earth or carry a roadway.

What can I say instead of "berm"?

Depending on the context, you might use "mound", "ridge", or "terrace" as alternatives to "berm".

Is "berm" a technical term?

Yes, "berm" is commonly used in construction, coastal engineering, and landscaping to describe a specific type of earthwork or landform.