curate

1 of 2

noun

cu·​rate ˈkyu̇r-ət How to pronounce curate (audio)
ˈkyər-,
 also  -ˌāt
1
: a member of the clergy in charge of a parish
sought the counsel of the curate
2
: a member of the clergy serving as assistant (as to a rector) in a parish

curate

2 of 2

verb

cu·​rate ˈkyu̇r-ˌāt How to pronounce curate (audio)
ˈkyər-;
kyu̇-ˈrāt How to pronounce curate (audio)
curated; curating; curates

transitive verb

1
: to select (the best or most appropriate) especially for presentation, distribution, or publication
… suggests finding smaller consignment or vintage stores that focus on carefully curating their products and displaying them nicely.Elizabeth Segran
: such as
a
: to select and organize (artistic works) for presentation in (something, such as an exhibit, show, or program)
Apsáalooke curator Nina Sanders curated the exhibit. She's in Chicago working on an Apsáalooke history exhibition at the Field Museum, coming in March.Darcel Rockett
[Hans] Zimmer has curated the show himself and it will be conducted by Gavin Greenaway and will star Lisa Gerrard.Rory Cashin
The two existing gallery spaces … display an extensive collection of sought-after art curated by a selection of the county's leading artists.Aaliyah Miller
[The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival's] organizers curate a balanced collection of short films, episodic projects and features both by U.S. Latino directors and Latin American artists across genres.Carlos Aguilar
b
: to select and organize (articles, images, etc.) for distribution or publication
The way TikTok algorithmically curates content for each individual user was also a wildly effective, even if unintentional, advertising tool.Morgan Sung
2
: to select and bring together (people or groups) for a purpose that is dependent on the specific skills or talents of the members
Edens also curated a team of "local legends," including Olympic gold medalists and National Geographic photographers, to help create the types of guest experiences … that have kept him coming back year after year.Jen Murphy
"This year, Black Thought, Questlove and I attempted to curate a lineup that broke through the genre barriers that often separate us in black culture. To be able to book Mickey Guyton, Kirk Franklin, G Herbo, Wizkid, Wallo & Gillie, and Mary J. Blige on the same lineup was a dream come true."Shawn Gee

Examples of curate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Each week, Maricopa and Pinal county reporter Sasha Hupka reports and curates must-know campaign news, insider exclusives and service-style voter tips from Arizona’s largest and most talented elections team. Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024 Over nearly a full year, Ronson was tasked with helping curate songs that perfectly matched what Gerwig had envisioned. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2023 In the film, O’Connor gives Emily a passionate affair with William Weightman (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), a young curate in the local parish. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2023 Occasionally, Stitch Fix will also partner with celebrities and influencers, like Peloton instructor Emma Lovewell, to guest curate collections. Kaitlin Marks, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2023 That Emily had a premarital affair with William Weightman (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), a real assistant curate who worked with her father Patrick in the village of Haworth, Yorkshire. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2023 Worse, O’Connor anchors Emily’s artistic coming-of-age to a rote romance with a hunky curate who also tutors her in French. Mark Olsenstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2023 Soon, Emily begins taking French lessons from her father’s assistant curate, the serious-minded William Weightman (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). Michelle Mehrtens, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Feb. 2023 The Importance of Being Earnest, Madame Bovary) makes her directorial debut with this partly fictional biopic about a romance between Emily Brontë and a young curate. Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 2 Feb. 2023
Verb
And so, the painting perfectly enacts an idea that is central to the exhibition, curated by Denise Murrell: double consciousness. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Joe Abrams curated the deals section of today’s newsletter. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 It’s been designed to act as a creative hub of sorts, housing a library of photography books curated by Todd Hido as well as a photo studio. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 Full Frame will also continue its tradition of inviting a filmmaker to curate a special thematic program. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Initially, the game’s creator Josh Wardle curated a list of words that would run in order. Saira Mueller, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Many museums around the world have curated exhibitions that actually deal with Frida’s body. Kui Mwai, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 That element of discovery was the guiding principle behind curating the De Los showcase. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Enjoy curated women’s film block from 3-5 p.m. followed by cocktails, shopping, red carpet and live music. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English curat "person charged with the care of souls, parish priest," borrowed from Medieval Latin cūrātus, from cūrāre "to have spiritual charge of" + Latin -ātus -ate entry 2 — more at cure entry 2

Verb

back-formation from curator

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near curate

Cite this Entry

“Curate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

curate

noun
cu·​rate
ˈkyu̇r-ət
: a member of the clergy who assists the rector, pastor, or vicar of a church
Etymology

Noun

Middle English curate "member of the clergy," from Latin curatus (same meaning), from cura "spiritual charge of souls," from earlier cura "care, healing" — related to accurate, cure

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