curriculum

noun

cur·​ric·​u·​lum kə-ˈri-kyə-ləm 

plural curricula kə-ˈri-kyə-lə  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

Did you know?

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

With that in mind, he’s built a curriculum that focuses on keeping young drivers from putting themselves at any more risk than necessary. —Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024

National divide on teaching race, LGBTQ issues in classrooms captured in new survey Pew released findings from the K-12 survey in February that focused on the ongoing scrutiny placed on classroom curricula, mainly regarding race and LGBTQ identities. —Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024

Members work through a curriculum that covers various aspects of business management and leadership from a Biblical perspective, including operations, finance, human resources, and personal development. —John Hall, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

But these findings indicate real debates about what topics to include in the curriculum and in what grades. —Morgan Polikoff, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024

The first program of its kind for an HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities), Spelman's new cosmetic chemistry curriculum was announced earlier this month and, according to a press release, will focus on product formulation and development. —Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Mar. 2024

Prompted by concerns about a rise in antisemitism, the Maryland Senate passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Benjamin F. Kramer (D-Montgomery) to bolster education about the Holocaust and implement an anti-hate curriculum in Maryland schools by 2025. —Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024

The lesson plan invites students to tell their own story through the lens of mental health awareness via an interactive curriculum including a creative storyboard activity. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024

This is in addition to some changes that were already planned, including an extra day of in-person training for all pilots starting in May and a centralized training curriculum for our new-hire maintenance technicians. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024

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

Phrases Containing curriculum

• curriculum vitae

Kids Definition

curriculum

noun

cur·​ric·​u·​lum kə-ˈrik-yə-ləm 

plural curricula -lə  also curriculums

: all the courses of study offered by a school

curricular

-lər

adjective