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

The box office revenue is not the same since the pandemic, yet repertory theaters in Los Angeles have shown endurance because of the curated experiences they create.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Such weird scenes inside this once-mysterious world have been totally effaced, now that every musician can curate his own image on social media.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With spooky season in full swing, curating fall vibes is essential to truly enjoying our chillier months.

Read more on MarketWatch

We send Snapchat photos that disappear in seconds and curate our life’s highlights on Instagram.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Wales Bonner has also curated an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and hosted musical performances at London's Serpentine Galleries.

Read more on BBC