curation

noun

cu·​ra·​tion kyu̇-ˈrā-shən 

plural curations

1

: the act or an instance of curating or selecting

"I think what's best about video store collections is that they're the work of some 20, 30 years of an obsessed human being's curation," [Tim League] explained.

—Gabe Cohn and Adam Powell

: such as

a

: the act or an instance of selecting and organizing artistic works for presentation in an exhibit, show, etc.

the careful curation that went into the exhibit

the museum's curation team

participated in the show's curation process

b

: the act or process of selecting and organizing (something, such as articles or images) for distribution or publication

Content curation is the process of sifting through and selecting online content to add to a website.

—James Warrington and Giulia Bottaro

Algorithms are basically the secret sauce that fuels modern social networks and streaming platforms. … They're good at both maximizing audience size and cheaply filling homepages with limited need for manual editorial curation.

—Tom McKay

Those who subscribe get a box of books tailored to their likes and dislikes: The careful curation is based on responses to questions about favorite and least favorite authors, and even a review of the recipient's Goodreads profile.

—Angela Haupt

also : the items selected and organized

These are just some of the latest in our curation of early Black Friday and holiday deals, which you can peruse right here in our dedicated guide.

—Nona Porter

Don't be afraid to mix into your curation some great content about a sport or recreational activity you love, or a charity or community cause you support.

—Jay Palter

2

: the act or process of selecting and bringing together people or groups for a specific purpose : coordination sense 1

We've had to be very deliberate with the curation of the team by bringing on those with the right skillsets, who are not only compatible but also believe in our company culture.

—Dan Jovevski, quoted at smartcompany.com.au

3

: the art or profession of a curator

I decided on a career field in high school: museum curation.

—Katherine Kelly-Coviello

Examples of curation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Each of the 30 itineraries available on the site right now are ones that someone from the Dusek family has experienced first-hand, providing a personal level of curation and paired with a focus on putting sustainability first. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024

Like the curation of a museum exhibition, the story has been long in the making, with numerous conversations and debates and, occasionally, the odd cross word exchanged in the pursuit of the most fascinating, curious, and often bizarre stories from around the world. —Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024

There’s still going to have to be some kind of curation of the content, and that, to me, is what will be interesting. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024

McKinnon has a background in museum development and curation, notably at the Smithsonian, with much of her career focused on Latin American communities. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

Keep scrolling to check out more unique home decor finds for spring, then head to Amazon to shop the full curation. —Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024

Emmy-winning costume designer Alix Friedberg (who worked with Dern on Big Little Lies) speaks with THR about sourcing thousands of vintage looks and partnering with The RealReal on a curation of over 600 apparel and accessories pieces that mirror the Palm Royale aesthetic. —Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024

The meticulous curation of colors throughout the showcase is simply breathtaking, with each hue more captivating than the last, leaving a lasting impression long after the show’s conclusion. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Mar. 2024

Overseen by the museum’s director, Elsa Janssen, with curation by Anne Dressen as artistic advisor, the five sections establish how the couturier used transparency to suggest nudity while exploring light, movement and shape. —Amy Verner, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English curacioun "curing, restoration to health, medical treatment," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French curacion, borrowed from Latin cūrātiōn-, cūrātiō "superintendence, taking care, treatment of a disease or sick person, office to which duties are attached," from cūrāre "to watch over, attend, treat (sick persons), restore to health" + -tiōn- -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at cure entry 2

Note: In contemporary use curation is probably a new formation from cur(ate) entry 2 + -ation.

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined at sense 1