curriculum

[kuh-rik-yuh-luhm]

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.

curriculum

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• curricular adjective
• precurriculum noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of curriculum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of curriculum¹

C19: from Latin: course, from currere to run

Example Sentences

This has led to schools needing to make cuts to support staff, teaching assistants, curriculum resources and enrichment.

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Regional automotive dealers and fleet operators, for example, inform our curriculum, donate equipment, offer paid internships and give us honest feedback about their new employees: our graduates.

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The money will be used for the curriculum project.

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Mr Mackin continued: "Schools must not place children in the impossible position of being singled out or stigmatised simply because their families do not share the religious worldview embedded in the curriculum."

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As the conflict approaches the four-year mark, military-style training and war topics are embedded in Russia’s school curriculum, while the budget for such programs has ballooned as the focus has turned to the youngest grades.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• educational program www.thesaurus.com
• syllabus 

When To Use

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.