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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Previously waste was allowed at the curb for only 12 hours. — Karen Huppertz, ajc, "Snellville approves new rules for curbside waste collection," 13 July 2018 At the curb in front of their house on Tuesday was a basketball hoop. — Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, "The elite world of Brett Kavanaugh," 11 July 2018 On a sunny March morning, George Pakenham is crisscrossing the streets of the Upper West Side, sweeping the terrain for idlers, drivers who loiter at the curb with their engines running. — Elizabeth Royte, Daily Intelligencer, "George Pakenham is waging a one-man war on air pollution on the Upper West Side.," 10 July 2018 In an effort to help people recycle correctly, Orange County's solid-waste division will be inspecting recyclables set at the curb by 641 customers over the next six weeks. — Stephen Hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orange County peering into recycling bins to check for no-nos like greasy pizza boxes, plastic bags," 28 June 2018 The officers duck at a curb during another 10-second burst of rapid gunfire, then hustle to a police car for the drive to a hospital. — Ken Ritter, Fox News, "'Where is medical?' More Las Vegas shooting records released," 27 June 2018 In Pearland, city ordinance does not allow trash cans to be placed at the curb for collection; residents may only put out bags or other disposable containers. — Dana Burke, Houston Chronicle, "Coyote caught looking for snack of garbage in Pearland neighborhood," 15 June 2018 Always stop at the curb and look left, right and left before crossing a street. — Record Staff Report, The Aegis, "Aberdeen police enforce crosswalk laws, produce pedestrian safety video," 13 June 2018 If self-driving delivery vans ever hit the road, how is the package going to get from the truck at the curb to your doorstep? — Mike Freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "After hiatus, Sony is back it the corporate venture capital game," 11 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Last week, the mayor came across a new study published in the journal Neuroradiology that suggests wearing neckties may lower blood flow to the brain, potentially curbing creativity and analytical thinking. — Laura Newberry, latimes.com, "Citing health study, Lancaster mayor wants to ban workplace necktie requirements for city employees," 12 July 2018 Oil has rebounded to the highest in more than three years as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies started curbing output at the beginning of last year to trim a global glut. — Fortune, "There Are Fears About an Oil Spike Above $150," 6 July 2018 Over the next month, crews will work on electricity for traffic signals and granite curbing on Park Road. — Mikaela Porter, Courant Community, "Work Continues On Park Road/ I-84, Local Road Projects Continue Through July," 20 June 2018 Rather than assuming effective new herbicides will be developed, Frisvold and Davis argued for taking a longer view of weed control that includes multiple approaches at once—like crop rotation and curbing the spread of weed seeds. — Brooke Borel, Scientific American, "Weeds Are Winning the War against Herbicide Resistance," 18 June 2018 Schnatter threw himself into the debate about the NFL national anthem protests last year by claiming that the protests had curbed pizza sales. — Kate Talerico, The Courier-Journal, "Twitter is roasting Papa John's founder for using the N-word," 11 July 2018 Hedeen said curbing violence demands a multifaceted effort. — Vic Ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "As murders rise among Indianapolis youth, so too does the search for answers," 2 July 2018 The vagus nerve, in turn, uses those signals to slow down the nervous system, lowering heart rate and blood pressure and curbing the activity of the stress hormone cortisol, an immune-system suppressant. — Cari Romm, The Cut, "The Lasting Damage of Depriving a Child of Human Touch," 20 June 2018 While curbing development is a cornerstone of his campaign, Brochin has advocated other ideas. — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, "Democrat Jim Brochin says his run for Baltimore County executive touts 'people's message'," 8 June 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about curb

Dictionary Entries near curb

Statistics for curb

Last Updated

18 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for curb

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

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

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