curb

[ kurb ]

noun

1. Also British, kerb. a rim, especially of joined stones or concrete, along a street or roadway, forming an edge for a sidewalk.
2. anything that restrains or controls; restraint; check.
3. an enclosing framework or border.
4. Also called curb bit. a bit used with a bridoon for control of a horse, to which a chain curb chain is hooked.
5. Also called curb market;. a market, originally on the sidewalk or street, for the sale of securities not listed on a stock exchange. Compare American Stock Exchange.
6. the framework around the top of a well.
7. the arris between an upper and a lower slope on a gambrel or mansard roof.
8. a belt of metal, masonry, etc., for abutting a dome at its base.
9. (in a windmill) the track on which the cap turns.
10. Veterinary Pathology. a swelling on the lower part of the back of the hock of a horse, often causing lameness.
11. Engineering. the cutting edge at the bottom of a caisson.
12. Carpentry. purlin plate.

verb (used with object)

1. to control as with a curb; restrain; check.

   Synonyms: repress, bridle

   Antonyms: encourage

2. to cause to keep near the curb:

   Curb your dog.

3. Also British, kerb. to furnish with or protect by a curb.
4. to put a curb on (a horse).

curb

¹

/ kɜːb /

noun

1. something that restrains or holds back
2. any enclosing framework, such as a wall of stones around the top of a well
3. 1. Also calledcurb bit a horse's bit with an attached chain or strap, which checks the horse
   2. Also calledcurb chain the chain or strap itself
4. a hard swelling on the hock of a horse

verb

1. to control with or as if with a curb; restrain

curb

²

noun

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

Other Words From

• curb·a·ble adjective
• curb·less adjective
• curb·like adjective
• un·curb verb (used with object)
• un·curb·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of curb¹

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”; curve

Word History and Origins

Origin of curb¹

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

Synonym Study

See check ¹.

Example Sentences

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.

From 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.

From Outside Online

The PU cast wheels measure 205 millimeters so you can feel confident going over curb cuts, bumps, and bits of debris.

From Popular-Science

They positioned my head on the edge of the curb and stomped on my face twice, breaking it wide open.

From Ozy

Beginning in the 1930s, scientists found that systole dampens pain and curbs startle reflexes.

From Quanta Magazine

No law or even revolution in police tactics can fully curb the rising expectations that come with a wired world.

From The Daily Beast

Did you feel like, with Hello Ladies, you wanted your own showcase—your own Curb, so to speak?

From The Daily Beast

He was shot twice in the head, his body left lying on a curb.

From The Daily Beast

He had the vehicles moved to the curb outside the dealership.

From The Daily Beast

“The basic aim of a democratic regime is to curb the use of arbitrary powers against its citizens,” West writes.

From The Daily Beast

Trouv, the moving spirit of the Commission, had but one idea, to curb the growing democratic spirit of the Piedmontese.

From Project Gutenberg

As Matt hurried out of the capitol building he found Clip at the curb, waiting for him.

From Project Gutenberg

Dutifully Lamb's goon turned and retraced his steps to the curb, holding his four-square hat carefully.

From Project Gutenberg

He caught a down car and got out just as the first prowl car came sirening its way into the side street curb.

From Project Gutenberg

I will set a curb upon my impatience afterwards, and go through my period of ah—probation without murmuring.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• constrain
• contain
• control
• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• inhibit
• restrain
• suppress
• tame