curb

1 of 2

noun

ˈkərb 

plural curbs

1

a

or British kerb : an edging (as of concrete) built along a street to form part of a gutter

They sat on the curb eating their ice cream.

see also kick to the curb

b

[from the fact that it originally transacted its business on the street] : a market for trading in securities not listed on a stock exchange

c

: a raised edge or margin to strengthen or confine

d

: an enclosing frame, border, or edging

2

a

: check, restraint

a price curb

government policies that are designed to put a curb on spending

b

: a bit that exerts severe pressure on a horse's jaws

also : the chain or strap attached to it see bit illustration

curb

2 of 2

verb

curbed; curbing; curbs

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with a curb

2

: to check or control with or as if with a curb

trying to curb her curiosity

3

: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (such as a gutter) for defecation

Synonyms

Noun

• check
• circumscription
• condition
• constraint
• fetter
• limitation
• restraint
• restriction
• stricture

Verb

• bridle
• check
• constrain
• contain
• control
• govern
• hold
• inhibit
• keep
• measure
• pull in
• regulate
• rein (in)
• restrain
• rule
• tame

Choose the Right Synonym for curb

restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something.

restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Examples of curb in a Sentence

Noun

We sat on the curb eating our ice cream.

these international regulations act as a curb on the plundering of a nation's archaeological treasures

Verb

The legislation is intended to curb price and wage increases.

pills designed to curb your appetite

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In one of the first scenes of her new TV show, Carrie Preston stands on a Manhattan curb as a taxi drives through a puddle and splashes her with a not-small amount of dirty street water. —Emily Yahr, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

As he was being photographed outside the clothing company, a white minivan pulled up to the curb. —Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Last October, a driverless Cruise vehicle dragged a pedestrian over 20 feet to the curb on a street in San Francisco, spurring regulators to suspend the company’s operations permit. —Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 28 Mar. 2024

Bella Swan may have been unconditionally and irrevocably in love with Edward Cullen, but Kristen Stewart would’ve kicked him to the curb. —Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024

Roll them to the curb on garbage day, and off go your pop cans, cardboard, cereal boxes and plastic bottles to the recycling center. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024

But the good news is there are plenty of creams out there, including this one, that can kick them both to the curb. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2024

Overall fatality numbers have remained largely unchanged since New York joined the Vision Zero movement in 2014 with a plan that included widening some curbs. —Jeff McMurray, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2024

In her neighborhood, America’s worsening drug-addiction problem could be witnessed on every sidewalk, unconscious bodies slumped on curbs and benches. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024

Verb

While at the state hospital, SVPs can take part in treatment programs aimed at curbing their criminal urges. —Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

Police were out in force downtown, a reminder of the government’s wider pledge to curb demonstrations that turn disruptive. —Isabel Debre, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024

Long-term solutions on youth violence in Indianapolis As the number of kids in Indianapolis killed or injured in shootings rises, the city has also responded by creating a position solely dedicated to curbing youth violence. —Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024

In farming areas in the Central Valley, local water agencies are starting to plan for mandatory reductions in agricultural water use to comply with the state’s groundwater law, which calls for curbing overpumping by 2040. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Researchers who study human milk understand how the molecules affect everything from the gut microbiome to curbing chronic disease risk factors in babies. —Deborah Balthazar, STAT, 29 Mar. 2024

What can be done to curb violence, and what does the future of public safety look like? —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024

Nobody feels any pain in the process, so nothing will be done to curb these thefts. —Bradley Brownell / Jalopnik, Quartz, 23 Mar. 2024

Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet of fiber, fruit, and protein can help curb food cravings. —News & Views, Health, 23 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French courbe curve, curved piece of wood or iron, from courbe curved, from Latin curvus

Verb

derivative of curb entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing curb

• curb appeal
• curb cut
• curb ramp
• curb service
• curb weight
• kick to the curb

Kids Definition

curb

1 of 2 noun

ˈkərb 

1

: a chain or strap on a horse's bit used to control the horse by pressing against the lower jaw

2

: check entry 1 sense 3

price curbs

3

: an enclosing border (as of stone or concrete) often along the edge of a street

curb

2 of 2 verb

1

: to control by or furnish with or as if with a curb

legislation to curb price and wage increases

curb your appetite

2

: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (as a gutter) for defecation

Medical Definition

curb

noun

ˈkərb 

: a swelling on the back of the hind leg of a horse just behind the lowest part of the hock joint that is due to strain or rupture of the ligament and generally causes lameness