Definition of curator
: one who has the care and superintendence of something; especially : one in charge of a museum, zoo, or other place of exhibit
From the M-W Editors
Did You Know?
In a good-sized art museum, each curator is generally responsible for a single department or collection: European painting, Asian sculpture, Native American art, and so on. Curatorial duties include acquiring new artworks, caring for and repairing objects already owned, discovering frauds and counterfeits, lending artworks to other museums, and mounting exhibitions of everything from Greek sculpture to 20th-century clothing.
Origin and Etymology of curator
borrowed from Latin cūrātor “one who looks after, superintendent, guardian,” from cūrāre “to watch over, attend” + -tor, agent suffix — more at 2cure
First Known Use: 1561
CURATOR Defined for English Language Learners
curator
playDefinition of curator for English Language Learners
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: a person who is in charge of the things in a museum, zoo, etc.
CURATOR Defined for Kids
curator
playDefinition of curator for Students
: a person in charge of a museum or zoo
Word Root of curator
The Latin word cūrāre, meaning “to care,” gives us the root cur. Words from the Latin cūrāre have something to do with giving care. A cure, something that heals sickness, is something that cares for someone's health. Anything accurate has been carefully measured or supplied so that it is free from mistakes. A curator is a person who cares for the things in a museum.
Law Dictionary
curator
playLegal Definition of curator
: a person appointed by a court to care for the property of an absent person or to care for the person or property of someone mentally incapable of doing so — compare committee, conservator, guardian, interdict, tutor
curatorship
nounOrigin and Etymology of curator
Latin, guardian, from curare to take care of
Learn More about curator
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See words that rhyme with curator Spanish Central: Translation of curator Nglish: Translation of curator for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of curator for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about curator
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