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Harbor vs Berth - What's the difference?

harbor | berth |

In lang=en terms the difference between harbor and berth

is that harbor is to hold or persistently entertain in one's thoughts or mind while berth is to assign a berth (bunk or position) to.

As nouns the difference between harbor and berth

is that harbor is a sheltered expanse of water, adjacent to land, in which ships may dock or anchor, especially for loading and unloading while berth is a fixed bunk for sleeping in (caravans, trains, etc).

As verbs the difference between harbor and berth

is that harbor is to provide a harbor or safe place for while berth is to bring (a ship or vehicle) into its berth.

harbor

English

Alternative forms

* harbour (Commonwealth) * herberwe (obsolete) * herborough (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A sheltered expanse of water, adjacent to land, in which ships may dock or anchor, especially for loading and unloading.
    • A harbor''', even if it is a little '''harbor , is a good thing, since adventurers come into it as well as go out, and the life in it grows strong, because it takes something from the world, and has something to give in return -
  • Any place of shelter.
    • The neighborhood is a well-known harbor for petty thieves.

    Derived terms

    * harborage * harbormaster * harbor seal * safe harbor

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To provide a harbor or safe place for.
  • *{{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katie L. Burke
    • , title= In the News , volume=101, issue=3, page=193, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.}}
  • To take refuge or shelter in a protected expanse of water.
  • To hold or persistently entertain in one's thoughts or mind.

    • See also

    * haven * dock

    References

    * * * * * Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary , 1987-1996.

    berth

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A fixed bunk for sleeping in (caravans, trains, etc).
  • Room for maneuvering or safety. (Often used in the phrase a wide berth .)
  • A space for a ship to moor or a vehicle to park.
  • (nautical) A room in which a number of the officers or ship's company mess and reside.
  • A job or position, especially on a ship.
  • (sports) Position or seed in a tournament bracket.
  • (sports) position on the field of play
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012
    • , date=December 29 , author=Paul Doyle , title=Arsenal's Theo Walcott hits hat-trick in thrilling victory over Newcastle , work=The Guardian citation , page= , passage=Olivier Giroud then entered the fray and Walcott reverted to his more familiar berth on the right wing, quickly creating his side's fifth goal by crossing for Giroud to send a plunging header into the net from close range.}}

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • to bring (a ship or vehicle) into its berth
  • to assign a berth (bunk or position) to