curb

[ kurb ]

/ kɜrb /

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See synonyms for: curb / curbed / curbing on Thesaurus.com

noun

Also British, kerb . a rim, especially of joined stones or concrete, along a street or roadway, forming an edge for a sidewalk.

anything that restrains or controls; restraint; check.

an enclosing framework or border.

Also called curb bit . a bit used with a bridoon for control of a horse, to which a chain (curb chain ) is hooked.

Also called curb mar·ket; British, kerb market, kerb·stone mar·ket . a market, originally on the sidewalk or street, for the sale of securities not listed on a stock exchange.Compare American Stock Exchange.

the framework around the top of a well.

the arris between an upper and a lower slope on a gambrel or mansard roof.

a belt of metal, masonry, etc., for abutting a dome at its base.

(in a windmill) the track on which the cap turns.

Veterinary Pathology. a swelling on the lower part of the back of the hock of a horse, often causing lameness.

Engineering. the cutting edge at the bottom of a caisson.

Carpentry. purlin plate.

verb (used with object)

to control as with a curb; restrain; check.

to cause to keep near the curb: Curb your dog.

Also British, kerb . to furnish with or protect by a curb.

to put a curb on (a horse).

OTHER WORDS FOR curb

13 bridle, repress.

See synonyms for curb on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR curb

13 encourage.

See antonyms for curb on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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Origin of curb

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English curb, courbe “curved piece of wood” (noun), “stooped, hunchbacked” (adjective), from Anglo-French curb, courb “curved, bowed,” Old French, from Latin curvus “crooked, bent, curved”; see curve

synonym study for curb

13. See check¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM curb

curb·a·ble, adjectivecurb·less, adjectivecurb·like, adjectiveun·curb, verb (used with object)

un·curb·a·ble, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH curb

curb , kerb

Words nearby curb

curate, curated, curate's egg, curative, curator, curb, curb appeal, curb ball, curb cut, curbed, Curb Exchange

How to use curb in a sentence

In 2019, House Democrats wisely made political reform a top priority by writing and passing HR 1 — a package of election reform measures that included automatic voter registration and federal curbs on partisan gerrymandering.
America needs a democratic revolution|Matthew Yglesias|September 17, 2020|Vox
Duce suggests going outside and incorporating whatever props you find—jumping on and off a curb, practicing push-ups against a rock, or doing dips from a bench.
A 15-Week Exercise Plan for Kids and Families|Krista Langlois|September 12, 2020|Outside Online
The PU cast wheels measure 205 millimeters so you can feel confident going over curb cuts, bumps, and bits of debris.
The best scooters for a smooth commute or cruise|PopSci Commerce Team|September 3, 2020|Popular-Science
They positioned my head on the edge of the curb and stomped on my face twice, breaking it wide open.
The Accidental Attempted Murder|Eugene Robinson|September 2, 2020|Ozy

Beginning in the 1930s, scientists found that systole dampens pain and curbs startle reflexes.
How Your Heart Influences What You Perceive and Fear|Jordana Cepelewicz|July 6, 2020|Quanta Magazine
No law or even revolution in police tactics can fully curb the rising expectations that come with a wired world.
Dear GOP: Fix the Damn Justice System!|Jonathan Alter|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did you feel like, with Hello Ladies, you wanted your own showcase—your own Curb, so to speak?
Stephen Merchant Talks ‘Hello Ladies’ movie, the Nicole Kidman Cameo, and Legacy of ‘The Office’|Marlow Stern|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was shot twice in the head, his body left lying on a curb.
Local Truces Are Syria’s Sad Little Pieces of Peace|Joshua Hersh|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had the vehicles moved to the curb outside the dealership.
Mexico’s Murderous SWAT Teams|Jason McGahan|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The basic aim of a democratic regime is to curb the use of arbitrary powers against its citizens,” West writes.
How We Got to Ferguson—a Reading List|David Masciotra|August 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Trouv, the moving spirit of the Commission, had but one idea, to curb the growing democratic spirit of the Piedmontese.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
As Matt hurried out of the capitol building he found Clip at the curb, waiting for him.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
Dutifully Lamb's goon turned and retraced his steps to the curb, holding his four-square hat carefully.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
He caught a down car and got out just as the first prowl car came sirening its way into the side street curb.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
I will set a curb upon my impatience afterwards, and go through my period of ah—probation without murmuring.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for curb (1 of 2)

curb¹

/ (kɜːb) /

noun

something that restrains or holds back

any enclosing framework, such as a wall of stones around the top of a well

Also called: curb bit a horse's bit with an attached chain or strap, which checks the horse
Also called: curb chain the chain or strap itself

a hard swelling on the hock of a horse

verb (tr)

to control with or as if with a curb; restrain

Word Origin for curb

C15: from Old French courbe curved piece of wood or metal, from Latin curvus curved

British Dictionary definitions for curb (2 of 2)

curb²

noun

vet science a swelling on the leg of a horse, below the point of the hock, usually caused by a sprain

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

curb

OTHER WORDS FOR curb

OPPOSITES FOR curb

Origin of curb

synonym study for curb

OTHER WORDS FROM curb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH curb

Words nearby curb

Words related to curb

How to use curb in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for curb (1 of 2)

Word Origin for curb

British Dictionary definitions for curb (2 of 2)