curriculum
Americannoun
plural
curricula, curriculums-
the aggregate of courses of study given in a school, college, university, etc..
The school is adding more science courses to its curriculum.
-
the regular or a particular course of study in a school, college, etc.
noun
-
a course of study in one subject at a school or college
-
a list of all the courses of study offered by a school or college
-
any programme or plan of activities
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- curricular adjective
- precurriculum noun
Etymology
Origin of curriculum
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For much of the 1900s, family and consumer sciences, more broadly known as home economics, were a staple of educational curricula in most American communities.
From Salon
Political impartiality was also ensured in the school's curriculum and teaching, inspectors ruled.
From BBC
Love said he would be in favour of reform of the RE curriculum, and said he would "100%" teach the subject if it was reformed.
From BBC
In most school curricula, the Holocaust serves as the primary, often exclusive, lens through which the demonization of Jews is understood.
Among those surveyed was a Bolton head teacher who said arts subjects had been "systematically devalued" by the curriculum, which had contributed to some students hating school and committing truancy.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
