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.
She said a Year 8 reading assessment would increase pressure on pupils at a point in their education when confidence matters most, and that it would narrow the curriculum and erode teacher autonomy.
From BBC
"We've had teachers leave constantly," said Lilian, one of the students, who added that pupils had "missed quite a lot of the curriculum" as a result.
From BBC
Enrollment is on a sliding scale — anywhere from $90-$280 a year — and each troop has three adult volunteer leaders who get trained on the curriculum, facilitate meetings and communicate with parents.
From Los Angeles Times
Addressing behaviours towards women is a crucial aspect, and the government recently announced changes to the national curriculum in England aimed at reducing sexism.
From BBC
Medical schools were told that their curriculum should include content about “the diverse manner in which people perceive health and illness” and the “basic principles of culturally competent healthcare.”
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.
