curb

noun

\ ˈkərb

Definition of curb

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a bit that exerts severe pressure on a horse's jaws also : the chain or strap attached to it — see bit illustration

2 : an enclosing frame, border, or edging

3 : check, restraint a price curb government policies that are designed to put a curb on spending

4 : a raised edge or margin to strengthen or confine

5 : an edging (as of concrete) built along a street to form part of a gutter They sat on the curb eating their ice cream.

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

curb

verb

curbed; curbing; curbs

Definition of curb (Entry 2 of 2)

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 & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about curb

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Choose the Right Synonym for curb

Verb

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

The car left the roadway and jumped a curb at South 13th Street to avoid stopped traffic, then ran a red light at South 10th Street. — Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Fleeing car speeds through Franklin with headlights off in nighttime chase," 9 July 2018 Looking to my right there is a very visible crosswalk—leading right to a curb! — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "How 7 Americans got around their cities in 2018," 27 Dec. 2018 As for the cast, 2008's Smash Bros. Brawl was the first to kick any of the series' older characters to the curb, while 2014's Smash 4 left a few fighters behind—but neither was a slouch in beefing up the combatant roster. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Smash Bros. Ultimate review: The best fighting game on any Nintendo system," 6 Dec. 2018 A few minutes later, a Ford Fusion crowned with cameras and high-powered sensors crawled up to the curb. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "Ford’s self-driving cars are really good, but are they good enough to win?," 15 Nov. 2018 Put the apricot seeds in this L'Oréal Paris scrub to work and kick flakes to the curb. — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "The 11 Best Scrubs and Treatments for Dry, Itchy Scalps," 12 Oct. 2018 Gin, another liquor with assertive flavors, is typically the ingredient that gets kicked to the curb in favor of mezcal. — Robert Simonson, New York Times, "Whatever the Cocktail, They’re Ordering It With Mezcal," 5 July 2018 Also, consider chipping your Christmas tree instead of tossing it to the curb. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Mulch Your Garden and Stop Weeds in Their Tracks," 26 June 2018 The Democratic House would, most obviously, curb Trump’s worst impulses through investigations. — Dylan Matthews, Vox, "Trump has eroded important democratic institutions. Will Democratic wins change that?," 8 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Investment banking and trading should be curbed dramatically, especially in the U.S. — Paul J. Davies, WSJ, "A Champion Investment Bank Is the Wrong Solution for Europe," 18 Apr. 2019 Netanyahu vigorously opposes a 2015 deal curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for a lifting of sanctions. — Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, "Netanyahu reveals new 'secret' Iran nuclear site," 27 Sep. 2018 In short, not even an ex-President, for all his heft and influence, can mar the charms of so transcendent a technique, or curb its ability to suck us in. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "Bill Clinton and James Patterson’s Concussive Collaboration," 3 June 2018 The Trump administration is ratcheting up sanctions on Iran following the president’s withdrawal from the 2015 international accord that curbed Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons. — Tracy Wilkinson, latimes.com, "Trump administration orders more sanctions on Iran after quitting the nuclear deal," 17 May 2018 According to a report, Zinedine Zidane has instructed Cristian Ronaldo to curb his explosive sprinting in league games, in a bid to keep him as fresh as possible for the season's run-in. — SI.com, "Ronaldo Told to Reduce Sprints As Real Look to Keep Megastar Fresh for Bayern Showdown," 24 Apr. 2018 For Republicans hellbent on expanding the human rights of corporations — while sharply curbing yours — the best surprise is no surprise. — Will Bunch, Philly.com, "The unbearable whiteness of being Trump's judicial picks | Will Bunch," 10 July 2018 In return, Sealaska can sell carbon-offset credits to California companies that must curb their emissions under state law. — Jake Bullinger, Outside Online, "How to Make Millions While Saving a Forest," 7 May 2018 More sound insulation to help curb excess powertrain noise has also been added. — Emma Jayne Williams, star-telegram, "Nissan Rogue proves to be a popular compact crossover for US consumers | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 5 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Statistics for curb

Last Updated

17 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for curb

The first known use of curb was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for curb

curb

noun

English Language Learners Definition of curb

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a short border along the edge of a street that is usually made of stone or concrete

: something that controls or limits something else

curb

verb

English Language Learners Definition of curb (Entry 2 of 2)

: to control or limit (something)

See the full definition for curb in the English Language Learners Dictionary

curb

noun

\ ˈkərb

Kids Definition of curb

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

2 : check entry 1 sense 2 a curb on rising prices

curb

verb

curbed; curbing

Kids Definition of curb (Entry 2 of 2)

: to control or limit curb spending This will curb your appetite.

curb

noun

\ ˈkərb

Medical Definition of curb

: 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