curate

[kyoor-it, kyoo-reyt, kyoor-eyt]

noun

1. Chiefly British.,  a member of the clergy employed to assist a rector or vicar.

2. any ecclesiastic entrusted with the cure of souls, as a parish priest.

verb (used with object)

curated, curating 

1. to take charge of (a museum) or organize (an art exhibit).

   to curate a photography show.

2. to pull together, sift through, and select for presentation, as music or website content.

   “We curate our merchandise with a sharp eye for trending fashion,” the store manager explained.

curate

¹

/ ˈkjʊərɪt /

noun

1. a clergyman appointed to assist a parish priest

2. a clergyman who has the charge of a parish ( curate-in-charge )

3. an assistant barman

curate

²

/ kjʊəˈreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to be in charge of (an art exhibition or museum)

Other Word Forms

• curatic adjective
• curatical adjective
• curateship noun
• curation noun
• subcurate noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of curate¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English curat, from Anglo-French or directly from Medieval Latin cūrātus, equivalent to Latin cūr(a) “care” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of curate¹

C14: from Medieval Latin cūrātus, from cūra spiritual oversight, _cure

Origin of curate²

C20: back formation from _curator

Example Sentences

Robots depend on powerful motors to provide balance, but they’re not dependable except in carefully curated environments such as laboratories.

From Los Angeles Times

Each of the festival’s three stages was curated to reflect Kristal’s evolving vision for his infamous patch of punk rock paradise.

From Los Angeles Times

Her room echoed with signs of a life well lived - a proud career, foreign holidays with her loving family, an immaculately curated wardrobe of cashmere cardigans.

From BBC

Every detail is thoughtfully curated for one hell of an experience you won’t forget.

From Salon

Now, with algorithms curating Spotify and Sirius, with fewer live DJ voices anywhere, terrestrial American radio is said to be dying.

From Los Angeles Times