curfew

[ kur-fyoo ]

noun

1. an order establishing a specific time in the evening after which certain regulations apply, especially that no civilians or other specified group of unauthorized persons may be outdoors or that places of public assembly must be closed.
2. a regulation requiring a person to be home at a certain prescribed time, as imposed by a parent on a child.
3. the time at which a daily curfew starts.
4. the period during which a curfew is in effect.
5. a signal, usually made with a bell, announcing the start of the time of restrictions under a curfew.
6. a bell for sounding a curfew.
7. (in medieval Europe) the ringing of a bell at a fixed hour in the evening as a signal for covering or extinguishing fires.
8. a metal cover for shielding a banked or unattended fire.

curfew

/ ˈkɜːfjuː /

noun

1. an official regulation setting restrictions on movement, esp after a specific time at night
2. the time set as a deadline by such a regulation
3. in medieval Europe
   1. the ringing of a bell to prompt people to extinguish fires and lights
   2. the time at which the curfew bell was rung
   3. the bell itself

Word History and Origins

Origin of curfew¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French coverfeu, Old French covrefeu literally, (it) covers (the) fire. See cover, focus

Word History and Origins

Origin of curfew¹

C13: from Old French cuevrefeu, literally: cover the fire

Example Sentences

A nighttime curfew that was imposed a few weeks ago seems barely enforced now—no doubt to the relief of the women at the Ramada.

From The Daily Beast

On Friday afternoon, I stood by the Burger King checking the bars on my phone like a kid with a curfew.

From The Daily Beast

The city of Miran Shah, for example, was subjected to a nighttime curfew for years.

From The Daily Beast

Nixon said the curfew is necessary, despite the efforts of some Ferguson residents to prevent looting.

From The Daily Beast

And so swift was the imposition of the curfew that some foreigners were taken by surprise.

From The Daily Beast

The last slave had been immured within its walls, and St. Michael's curfew was to be sweetest music thenceforth and forever.

From Project Gutenberg

We took tea at six or half past six o'clock, and the curfew ringing at nine found us preparing for bed.

From Project Gutenberg

The time when this ought to be done, was signified by the ringing of a bell, called therefore the curfew bell, or ignitegium.

From Project Gutenberg

The ringing of a bell in the evening is in many places till called ringing the Curfew Bell.

From Project Gutenberg

It made me think of that gal when she spoke ‘Curfew shall not ring tewnight’ at the schoolhouse.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• time limit