\ 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
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
verbcurbed; curbing; curbs
Definition of curb (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for curb
Synonyms: Noun
- check,
- circumscription,
- condition,
- constraint,
- fetter,
- limitation,
- restraint,
- restriction,
- stricture
Synonyms: Verb
- bridle,
- check,
- constrain,
- contain,
- control,
- govern,
- hold,
- inhibit,
- keep,
- measure,
- pull in,
- regulate,
- rein (in),
- restrain,
- rule,
- tame
Antonyms: Verb
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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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Incremental asks have been replaced with demands for comprehensive reforms that raise wages and salaries, curb suffocating cost spikes for childcare and prescription drugs, and shift power to workers and consumers.
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Tom Perriello, Fortune, "How a Biden administration could reverse the four-decade decline of America’s working class," 13 Oct. 2020 Local legend has it that Eddie and Alex wrote the family name in wet cement on the curb, which is still visible.
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Beth Harris, chicagotribune.com, "Memorials grow in Eddie Van Halen’s adopted hometown," 10 Oct. 2020 City Council voted unanimously Monday to allow the Ohio Department of Transportation to manage $800,000 in pedestrian-safety projects in Akron next year, including installing mid-block crosswalks, curb ramps and signs.
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Robin Goist, cleveland, "$800,000 in ODOT funding to improve pedestrian safety in Akron," 5 Oct. 2020 Fifty supporters danced on the northbound curb of Rockville Pike, elbows and knees within inches of side-view mirrors moving at 40 mph.
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Washington Post, "The president is sick but his followers feel great," 4 Oct. 2020 The single greatest step to curb prices, according to the report, would be to allow Medicare to negotiate prices.
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NBC News, "High drug prices driven by profits, House committee reports find," 30 Sep. 2020 Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta announced measures to reduce the cost of producing corn and curb imports of the grain that most homes in the East African nation depend on for starch.
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Eric Ombok, Bloomberg.com, "Kenya Rolls Out Measures to Boost Corn Output, Curb Imports," 29 Sep. 2020 Even when the pandemic ends, New Yorkers will not have to give up dining by the curb.
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Amanda Rosa, New York Times, "Outdoor Dining in N.Y.C. Will Become Permanent, Even in Winter," 25 Sep. 2020 Over Labor Day weekend, 18th Street had curb lanes closed for patio dining in Adams Morgan.
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From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "Eviction problems, student pushback, coastal rental boom: News from around our 50 states," 9 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Apple has been working to curb the environmental impact of its massive global manufacturing operations, expanding recycling programs and pledging to go completely carbon neutral by 2030.
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Rishi Iyengar, CNN, "Your old iPhone is worth big bucks. Here's why," 17 Oct. 2020 The shift may also curb demand from specialty coffee producers around the world, since cafe patrons tend to drink more premium beverages made from higher-grade beans.
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Marvin G Perez, Bloomberg.com, "Say Goodbye to Your Local Coffee Shop in America’s Cafe Shakeup," 8 Oct. 2020 Trump and his advisers say their strategy is aimed at forcing Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions, curb its ballistic missile program, and end its support for militant proxy groups across the Middle East.
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Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, "'Treating us like garbage': New sanctions announced as many Iranian Americans feel fed up with Trump," 8 Oct. 2020 John Thrasher has encouraged safety measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 on FSU’s campus, like face coverings and social distancing.
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Katie Rice, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida State University president tests positive for COVID-19," 6 Oct. 2020 Facebook has launched a plan to curb misinformation spread on its platform, including working with independent third-party fact-checkers.
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Emma Colton, Washington Examiner, "Levin says Facebook 'is trying to influence the election’s outcome' after censoring his posts," 5 Oct. 2020 And face masks, public health experts repeatedly recommend, can curb the spread of the virus, in addition to frequent hand washing and social distancing.
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Miriam Berger, Washington Post, "Months before coronavirus hit Trump’s circle, Iran battled a similar outbreak," 3 Oct. 2020 The drop comes after massive efforts to curb emissions throughout the country, especially from households.
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Lindsey Mcginnis, The Christian Science Monitor, "Points of Progress: Dozens of species saved from extinction," 2 Oct. 2020 And in many instances activists, including Dallas groups like Mothers Against Police Brutality, have developed reasonable proposals on how to curb police brutality, as well as keep the community safe with improved policing.
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Dallas News, "Don’t let the term ‘defunding police’ divert attention from needed policing reforms," 14 Sep. 2020
See MoreThese 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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More Definitions for curb
curb
nounEnglish 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
verbEnglish 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
verbcurbed; 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
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Time Traveler for curb
The first known use of curb was in the 15th century
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