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 of curvature

• curve
• bend
• angle

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

For compact surfaces like spheres, researchers showed that the metric and mean curvature uniquely fix the surface. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026

This is why time passes at different rates dependent on your elevation on Earth, and why your head (which is farther from the Earth’s center, and in a region of slightly less spacetime curvature) ages faster as compared with your feet. —Big Think, 12 Mar. 2026

The ballpoint tip aims to hug the natural curvature of your lip for bleed-proof precision. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026

Its curvature is translated into an oversized shield silhouette with a forward cut-out construction that feels both technical and architectural. —Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, 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