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

Freeman also served as the assistant superintendent of innovative learning, teaching and technology in Fremont School District 79 and as director of curriculum, instruction and assessment services in Rochelle Township High School 212. —Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024

Restrictions have been placed on library books, as well as curriculum that highlights the nation’s history of slavery, racial inequities and LGBTQ+ issues. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Staffing shortages, political battles over curriculum, poverty, absenteeism, and social-emotional behaviors are just some of the reasons why. —Kristina Behr, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024

Instead of cajoling faculty to explore, adopt, and conform curricula to OERs, colleges spent a lost decade on Inclusive Access. —Ryan Craig, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

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

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