curvature

noun

cur·​va·​ture ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇r 

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

1

: the act of curving : the state of being curved

2

: a measure or amount of curving

specifically : the rate of change of the angle through which the tangent to a curve turns in moving along the curve and which for a circle is equal to the reciprocal of the radius

3

a

: an abnormal curving (as of the spine)

b

: a curved surface of an organ

Synonyms

• angle
• arc
• arch
• bend
• bow
• crook
• curve
• inflection
• turn
• wind

Examples of curvature in a Sentence

The lenses have different curvatures.

the curvature of the earth

The machine measures the eyeball's degree of curvature.

a disease that can cause curvature of the spine

Recent Examples on the Web

In June 1990, NASA announced the discovery of a spherical aberration on Hubble's primary mirror due to a 2-micron mistake in the curvature of the telescope's primary mirror — about 1/50 the width of a human hair. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Firefly released an image Friday showing a glint of sunlight reaching around the curvature of the Earth, some 250,000 miles (402,000 kilometers) away. —Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025

The round brush head allows for beginner-friendly blending by mimicking the natural curvature of fingers. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2025

The architecture, a minimalist fusion of modernist lines and biomorphic flow, reflects the curvature of the coastline itself. —Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing curvature

• center of curvature
• radius of curvature

Kids Definition

curvature

noun

cur·​va·​ture ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇(ə)r 

-chər

1

: the act of curving : the state of being curved

2

: an abnormal curving

curvature of the spine

Medical Definition

curvature

noun

cur·​va·​ture ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -chər, -ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r 

1

: an abnormal curving (as of the spine) see kyphosis, scoliosis

2

: a curved surface of an organ (as the stomach) see greater curvature, lesser curvature