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

How could someone who is willing to die for our country wind up on the streets, kicked to the curb after their service? — J.d. Crowe | Jdcrowe@al.com, al.com, "Alabama’s homeless veterans: Marine vet beats alcohol and cancer," 9 July 2019 And avoid blocking the sidewalk or the curb, so pedestrians aren’t tiptoeing through stuff. — Debbie Carlson, chicagotribune.com, "3 ways to have a yard sale when you don’t have a yard," 8 July 2019 Public health campaigns have warned us for years to kick tobacco to the curb. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "Casual Alcohol Use Has Been Linked to Several Major Cancers—So Where's the Campaign?," 27 June 2019 The $3 million project also will bring new manhole covers, sidewalks, curbs and landscaping to the working class neighborhood. — Ryan Gillespie, orlandosentinel.com, "Orlando seeks $6 million in FEMA aid for flood-prone areas," 3 June 2019 Construction crews also are resurfacing the roads and adding new curbs, sidewalks and traffic signals near the Brightline station. — Meryl Kornfield, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Brightline train stations boost new development in South Florida's downtowns," 3 July 2018 The work is considered phase two of a project and includes rehabilitating the parking surface, drive aisles, walkways, stairs, sidewalks, curbs and planter boxes on the deck’s upper level. — Erin Hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Naperville Municipal Center parking deck to see $294,000 in repairs this year," 11 June 2018 The new work includes reconstruction of Guthrie Street, including new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, storm and sanitary sewers, water lines, and street lighting. — Tim Zorn, Post-Tribune, "East Chicago to receive $8.5M grant for Indiana Harbor improvements," 20 Apr. 2018 During the daytime, one lane will be closed in each direction for work on sidewalks and curbs and ramps. — Brandon Patterson, Detroit Free Press, "Stretch of Woodward Avenue will be under construction until August," 16 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Lightfoot has talked about the need for a comprehensive approach to curbing violence, one that addresses the social and economic forces that contribute to Chicago’s homicides and shootings. — Dahleen Glanton, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Unless Chicago’s crime problem dramatically improves, Superintendent Eddie Johnson will have to go," 10 July 2019 Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who took office in May and has made curbing gun violence a priority, followed recent years’ practice by adding an extra 1,500 police officers onto the streets. — Washington Post, "Police: Security officer’s gunshot warning caused stampede," 5 July 2019 Many were soldiers already working in the area to curb drug violence when the government ordered them to slap on national guard arm bands and go to work on the border. — Dallas News, "Mexico wrestles with its identity as the national guard helps Trump and López Obrador crack down on migrants," 29 June 2019 To combat the high incidence of domestic violence in the state, Barr also unveiled the new Rural Alaska Violent Crime Reduction Working Group, which will focus on curbing domestic violence and crimes against children in rural communities. — Clare Hymes, CBS News, "Barr announces over $10 million to fund law enforcement crisis in rural Alaska," 28 June 2019 Scott said the council continues putting pressure on police to curb the violence, but noted that Harrison has still only had a few months on the job. — Jessica Anderson, baltimoresun.com, "As Baltimore homicide count passes 150, police chief Michael Harrison says 'culture of violence' must change," 25 June 2019 Giammattei, the candidate of the right-wing Vamos party, vowed to bring back the death penalty in a bid to curb rampant gang violence. — Patrick J. Mcdonnell, latimes.com, "Guatemalan election headed for runoff in August," 17 June 2019 Youth gun violence is on the rise and federal, state and local law enforcement agencies are working to solve crimes earlier and curb that violence, Metz said. — Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, "Suspect arrested in connection with Aurora shooting that wounded four people," 12 June 2019 In Croatia and California, handmaids have protested legislators who voted against measures to curb violence against women. — Emma Grey Ellis, WIRED, "Handmaids Tale Garb Is the Viral Protest Uniform of 2019," 5 June 2019

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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Dictionary Entries near curb

Statistics for curb

Last Updated

12 Jul 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