curriculum

American  

[kuh-rik-yuh-luhm] / kəˈrɪk yə ləm /

noun

plural

curricula, curriculums

1. the aggregate of courses of study given in a school, college, university, etc..

   The school is adding more science courses to its curriculum.

2. the regular or a particular course of study in a school, college, etc.

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curriculum British  

/ kəˈrɪkjʊləm /

noun

1. a course of study in one subject at a school or college

2. a list of all the courses of study offered by a school or college

3. any programme or plan of activities

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Usage

Plural word for curriculum The plural form of curriculum can be either curricula or curriculums, although curricula is more commonly used. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -um are also formed in the same way, including memorandum/memoranda, and bacterium/bacteria. Irregular plurals that are formed like curricula derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin. However, the usual plural -s ending is often also acceptable for many of these terms, as in curriculums and memorandums.

Other Word Forms

• curricular adjective
• precurriculum noun

Etymology

Origin of curriculum

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin: “action of running, course of action, race, chariot,” equivalent to curr(ere) “to run” + -i- -i- + -culum -cule ²

Explanation

A curriculum is a set of courses designed to give expertise, like the shoemaking curriculum at Shoe U: Advanced Cutting, Hammering, and Stitching; History of the Heel; and A Cultural History of Walking. Curriculum comes from the Latin word for "running course," or "career," but when we talk about curriculum it's always about school. If you go to a school with a Liberal Arts curriculum, you'll get an education in the humanities with some science, but if you go to a technical school with a hard-core astrophysics curriculum, you probably won't have to take any courses on poetry.

Example Sentences

She said students who attended the program, which has a play-based curriculum and runs the length of a workday, arrived with more confidence and often volunteered to be class leaders.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

The King was presented with the badge by Blue Peter presenter Joel Mawhinney, and the foundation's sustainable food systems curriculum manager, Liza Kengran.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

The report urged Yale to expand tuition-free eligibility and financial aid for graduate students as well as scrutinize curriculum diversity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

“So they can piece together their 450 hours using their interests to shape what their curriculum looks like.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

“While I’m happy that steps are being taken to change the culture here at Granger, I wonder if maybe your curriculum could use some changes as well.”

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

Related Words

• educational program
• syllabus