curriculum

noun

cur·​ric·​u·​lum kə-ˈri-kyə-ləm How to pronounce curriculum (audio)
plural curricula kə-ˈri-kyə-lə How to pronounce curriculum (audio) also curriculums
1
: the courses offered by an educational institution
the high school curriculum
2
: a set of courses constituting an area of specialization
the engineering curriculum
the biological sciences curriculum
the liberal arts curriculum

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The Different Plural Forms of Curriculum

Curriculum is from New Latin (a post-medieval form of Latin used mainly in churches and schools and for scientific coinages), in which language it means “a course of study.” It shares its ultimate root in classical Latin, where it meant “running” or “course” (as in “race course”), with words such as corridor, courier, and currency, all of which come from Latin currere “to run.”

As is the case with many nouns borrowed directly from Latin, there is often some confusion as to the proper way to form its plural. Both curricula and curriculums are considered correct.

This word is frequently seen in conjunction with vitae; a curriculum vitae (Latin for “course of (one’s) life”) is “a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position” – in other words, a résumé. Curriculum vitae is abbreviated CV, and is pluralized as curricula vitae.

Examples of curriculum in a Sentence

The college has a liberal arts curriculum.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Others were related to the actual content of the courses, such as a school that used a curriculum that included inaccurate information about permissible blood-alcohol levels for drivers and another school that provided students with answers to final exam questions in advance. William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025 When evaluating technology, the committee must consider a particular set of factors, including alignment with the district’s curriculum, data privacy, security and ethical considerations, compatibility with existing systems and potential for bias. Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 26 Sep. 2025 Hunks of that money will go to support hiring a limited number of reading coaches for teachers statewide, to paying part of the cost for schools to purchase curriculums that are in line with Act 20, and to support the costs of training teachers. Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025 Evelyn’s multi-step curriculum involves breaking down her young charges’ resistance before building them back up as members of the Tall Pines community. Judy Berman, Time, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curriculum

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, going back to Latin, "action of running, course of action, race," from currere "to run" + -i- -i- + -culum, suffix of instrument and place (going back to Indo-European *-tlom) — more at current entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curriculum was in 1824

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Cite this Entry

“Curriculum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curriculum. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

curriculum

noun
cur·​ric·​u·​lum kə-ˈrik-yə-ləm How to pronounce curriculum (audio)
plural curricula -lə How to pronounce curriculum (audio) also curriculums
: all the courses of study offered by a school
curricular
-lər
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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