curb

1 of 2

noun

plural curbs
1
a
or British kerb : an edging (as of concrete) built along a street to form part of a gutter
They sat on the curb eating their ice cream.
see also kick to the curb
b
[from the fact that it originally transacted its business on the street] : a market for trading in securities not listed on a stock exchange
c
: a raised edge or margin to strengthen or confine
d
: an enclosing frame, border, or edging
2
a
: check, restraint
a price curb
government policies that are designed to put a curb on spending
b
: a bit that exerts severe pressure on a horse's jaws
also : the chain or strap attached to it see bit illustration

curb

2 of 2

verb

curbed; curbing; curbs

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
Choose the Right Synonym for curb

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
While Hong Kong’s internet remains largely free, initial curbs have sparked concern the tight controls of mainland China, where many Western platforms are blocked and censors routinely scrub content critical of the government, could spill over into Hong Kong. Alan Wong, Fortune Asia, 2 Mar. 2024 By enabling cities to better understand and optimize curb space usage, digital curb inventories can reduce congestion, improve safety, and promote sustainable transportation modes. Regina Clewlow, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Tree Hut Iced Coffee Shea Sugar Scrub Ready to kick dry winter skin to the curb? Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024 By tapping and touching, the sightless person does not feel the cane per se but the objects—the curb, the doorway—that are felt through the tool, in the same way sighted people experience these objects through their eyes. Chip Colwell, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 According to the mayor, the physical building is down now, and planting and curbs will be done sometime in the spring. Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 Jacob was found near the curb about 50 feet from the crosswalk. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024 One of Renner's neighbors snapped pictures of Renner's wife, Becky, sitting on the curb as technicians entered and exited her home. The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 In October 2022, the Biden administration imposed sweeping curbs designed to curtail China’s access to advanced computing chips. Laura He, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
The revelations underscore the degree to which China has evaded American efforts to curb its hacking operations. Mike Isaac, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 In milk chocolate, milk fat is mainly used to curb the bitterness of the chocolate, but in semisweet chocolate, at much lower levels, it's also used to make chocolate softer. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 6 Mar. 2024 After three consecutive years of spring break violence, Miami Beach officials are implementing monthlong security measures aimed at curbing the chaos, including parking restrictions for non-residents and closing sidewalk cafes on busy weekends. David Fischer, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 In most cases, the solution is more state control and curbing outside influence. Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 Instead, the deal struck turned out to be what Kerry now calls the high point of the world’s 30-year effort to curb ever-worsening climate change. Seth Borenstein, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 But even those guidelines are insufficient: an investigation of prior campaigns in Gaza reveals the inadequacy of Israeli targeting guidelines, which do not truly curb civilian casualties. Avner Gvaryahu, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2024 While 55% of seniors overall enroll in private MA plans, 65% of Black enrollees do, along with 69% of Latinos. Left-leaning policymakers in Washington have long tried to curb MA enrollment growth. Avik Roy, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The programs can also be a tool in curbing youth violence and crime, some said. Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French courbe curve, curved piece of wood or iron, from courbe curved, from Latin curvus

Verb

derivative of curb entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near curb

Cite this Entry

“Curb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curb. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

curb

1 of 2 noun
1
: a chain or strap on a horse's bit used to control the horse by pressing against the lower jaw
2
: check entry 1 sense 3
price curbs
3
: an enclosing border (as of stone or concrete) often along the edge of a street

curb

2 of 2 verb
1
: to control by or furnish with or as if with a curb
legislation to curb price and wage increases
curb your appetite
2
: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (as a gutter) for defecation

Medical Definition

curb

noun
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on curb

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