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

Local screener data revealed 2.5-point gains in reading, especially among our youngest learners and students with disabilities, while educator surveys from last school year confirmed growing confidence in the curriculum and strong support for these shifts. —Marielys Divanne, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2025

These courses must not only be completed but mastered, as applicants need to distinguish themselves among peers pursuing the same rigorous curriculum, all with the same goal. —Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Kate Hughes, spokeswoman for District 36, said the new curricula were approved by the Board of Education in a new strategic plan in June. —Phil Rockrohr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025

The tablets come loaded with work for five core subjects and two special papers in line with Zambia's national curriculum. —Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for curriculum

• reticulum
• diverticulum

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