curriculum

noun

cur·​ric·​u·​lum kə-ˈri-kyə-ləm How to pronounce curriculum (audio)
plural curricula kə-ˈri-kyə-lə How to pronounce curriculum (audio) also curriculums
1
: the courses offered by an educational institution
the high school curriculum
2
: a set of courses constituting an area of specialization
the engineering curriculum
the biological sciences curriculum
the liberal arts curriculum

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The Different Plural Forms of Curriculum

Curriculum is from New Latin (a post-medieval form of Latin used mainly in churches and schools and for scientific coinages), in which language it means “a course of study.” It shares its ultimate root in classical Latin, where it meant “running” or “course” (as in “race course”), with words such as corridor, courier, and currency, all of which come from Latin currere “to run.”

As is the case with many nouns borrowed directly from Latin, there is often some confusion as to the proper way to form its plural. Both curricula and curriculums are considered correct.

This word is frequently seen in conjunction with vitae; a curriculum vitae (Latin for “course of (one’s) life”) is “a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position” – in other words, a résumé. Curriculum vitae is abbreviated CV, and is pluralized as curricula vitae.

Examples of curriculum in a Sentence

The college has a liberal arts curriculum.
Recent Examples on the Web Teachers have been forced to switch to Russian curriculums. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 But Pyle’s images don’t just infer commentary on contested curriculum. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Students once learned this alienation as part of a standard curriculum. Armond White, National Review, 8 Mar. 2024 Stanton secured a $1.8 million federal investment last year to help the school system build out its STEM curriculum, according to a news release. Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Representatives of education organizations across the state told senators earlier this month that state law already allows school boards to approve any curriculum. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024 The Second City in Chicago — known for churning out alumni like Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Stephen Colbert, and Amy Poehler — is building out its curriculum to include more instruction on social media platforms like TikTok. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2024 Often, students are graduating with outdated skills due to a school's curriculum being too old or the teachers not working in the industry. Dina Mattar, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 For example, if a town is speaking about school curriculum and invites public comments, as long as the comments tie back to the subject matter at hand, towns wouldn’t really be able to limit any hate comments being shared. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curriculum.' 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

borrowed from New Latin, going back to Latin, "action of running, course of action, race," from currere "to run" + -i- -i- + -culum, suffix of instrument and place (going back to Indo-European *-tlom) — more at current entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curriculum was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near curriculum

Cite this Entry

“Curriculum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curriculum. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

curriculum

noun
cur·​ric·​u·​lum kə-ˈrik-yə-ləm How to pronounce curriculum (audio)
plural curricula -lə How to pronounce curriculum (audio) also curriculums
: all the courses of study offered by a school
curricular
-lər
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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