curtain

1 of 2

noun

cur·​tain ˈkər-tᵊn How to pronounce curtain (audio)
1
: a hanging screen usually capable of being drawn back or up
especially : window drapery
2
: a device or agency that conceals or acts as a barrier compare iron curtain
3
a
: the part of a bastioned front that connects two neighboring bastions
b(1)
: a similar stretch of plain wall
(2)
: a nonbearing exterior wall
4
a
: the movable screen separating the stage from the auditorium of a theater
b
: the ascent or opening (as at the beginning of a play) of a stage curtain
also : its descent or closing (as at the end of an act)
c
: the final situation, line, or scene of an act or play
d
: the time at which a theatrical performance begins
e
curtains plural : end
especially : death
it will be curtains for us if we're caught
curtainless adjective

curtain

2 of 2

verb

curtained; curtaining ˈkərt-niŋ How to pronounce curtain (audio)
-ˈkər-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to furnish with or as if with curtains
2
: to veil or shut off with or as if with a curtain

Examples of curtain in a Sentence

Noun Curtains separated the hospital beds. When the curtain rises after intermission, the set is bare and the main character finds himself alone. As the curtain falls for the last time, we see a young woman holding a dying man in her arms. Verb she dropped her head in shame and curtained her face with her hair
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
That October night, the aurora borealis dances along the north ridge of Holy Cross, a shimmering violet then green curtain of light blowing in the solar wind. Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025 But the study team hopes the experience will be a way for people to engage with science and pull back the curtain on how the questions about human behavior are answered, Mehr said. Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
Silvery fabric curtained the frame around him, floating loosely in the cold, dusty air. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 28 July 2025 As for decor, these Kelly Clarkson curtains with their lace details bring a romantic and nostalgic feel to any room. Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for curtain

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English curtine, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin cortina (translation of Greek aulaia, from aulē court), from Latin cohort-, cohors enclosure, court — more at court

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curtain was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

curtain

noun
cur·​tain
ˈkərt-ᵊn
1
: a piece of material (as cloth) hung up to darken, hide, divide, or decorate
2
: the opening or closing of the curtain in front of the stage of a theater
3
: something that covers, hides, or separates like a curtain
curtain verb

More from Merriam-Webster on curtain

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