curved; curving
: to have or take a turn, change, or deviation from a straight line or plane surface without sharp breaks or angularity
1
: to cause to curve
2
: to throw a curveball to (a batter)
3
: to grade (something, such as an examination) on a curve
1
a
: a line especially when curved: such as
(1)
: the path of a moving point
(2)
: a line defined by an equation so that the coordinates of its points are functions of a single independent variable or parameter
b
: the graph of a variable see also epidemic curve, learning curve, normal curve, simple closed curve, sine curve
2
4
: a distribution indicating the relative performance of individuals measured against each other that is used especially in assigning good, medium, or poor grades to usually predetermined proportions of students rather than in assigning grades based on predetermined standards of achievement
5
: trend
a growth curve in advertising revenues
especially
: a prevalent trend or rate of progress
—often used in the phrases ahead of the curve and behind the curve
companies that are behind the curve in adopting new technologies
Examples of curve in a Sentence
Verb
The tail curves over the dog's back.
The road curves to the left.
The fence curves in toward the side of the house.
The railing curves out near the observation platform.
Noun
The dog's tail has a slight curve.
There is a sharp curve coming up in the road.
the price curve in relation to inflation
Recent Examples on the Web
Sara Pezeshk, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025
After completing Slither Housing in 2000, an angular yet gently curved 105-unit apartment building in Japan’s Gifu prefecture, the husband-and-wife team increasingly turned its attentions to cultural architecture.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which is used to describe the gravity of black holes, uses a single field equation to explain how space curves and matter moves.
—Lyndie Chiou, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curve
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Verb
Concave tiles, which curve inward, and convex tiles, which curve outward, are installed at different levels along the seawall.
—Sara Pezeshk, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025
After completing Slither Housing in 2000, an angular yet gently curved 105-unit apartment building in Japan’s Gifu prefecture, the husband-and-wife team increasingly turned its attentions to cultural architecture.
—Oscar Holland, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
Yamamoto snapped off a flurry of big-bending curves, generating four whiffs on 11 swings.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which is used to describe the gravity of black holes, uses a single field equation to explain how space curves and matter moves.
—Lyndie Chiou, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for curve
Cite this Entry
“Curve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curve. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
curve
1 of 2 verb
curved; curving
1
: to turn or change from a straight line or course
the road curved to the left
2
: to cause to curve
curve
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a line especially when curved
b
: a line connecting points on a graph or in a coordinate system
2
: something that bends or turns without angles
a curve in the road
3
: a ball thrown so that it moves away from a straight course
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