curb

1 of 2

noun

ˈkərb 

plural curbs

1

a

or British kerb : an edging (as of concrete) built along a street to form part of a gutter

They sat on the curb eating their ice cream.

see also kick to the curb

b

[from the fact that it originally transacted its business on the street] : a market for trading in securities not listed on a stock exchange

c

: a raised edge or margin to strengthen or confine

d

: an enclosing frame, border, or edging

2

a

: check, restraint

a price curb

government policies that are designed to put a curb on spending

b

: a bit that exerts severe pressure on a horse's jaws

also : the chain or strap attached to it see bit illustration

curb

2 of 2

verb

curbed; curbing; curbs

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with a curb

2

: to check or control with or as if with a curb

trying to curb her curiosity

3

: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (such as a gutter) for defecation

Synonyms of curb

Noun

• restriction
• constraint
• limitation

Verb

• regulate
• control
• restrain
• contain
• keep
• measure
• stifle
• suppress

Choose the Right Synonym for curb

restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something.

restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes.

restrained themselves from laughing

check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus.

trying to check government spending

curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking.

learn to curb your appetite

bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in.

bridle an impulse to throw the book down

Examples of curb in a Sentence

Noun

We sat on the curb eating our ice cream.

these international regulations act as a curb on the plundering of a nation's archaeological treasures

Verb

The legislation is intended to curb price and wage increases.

pills designed to curb your appetite

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The driver of the vehicle that was hit then swerved, resulting in the car hitting the curb and tree. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026

The Pelham Boulevard reconstruction project will replace underground utilities, sidewalks, street surface, curbs, lighting and pedestrian ramps. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2026

Verb

Visitors from far and wide have been traveling to Japan — and now government officials will be raising their tourist tax in an effort to curb overtourism. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026

The issue has grown pressing enough that NBA commissioner Adam Silver has said the league intends to curb some of the tanking by changing the lottery process. —Jay King, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French courbe curve, curved piece of wood or iron, from courbe curved, from Latin curvus

Verb

derivative of curb entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing curb

• curb appeal
• curb cut
• curb ramp
• curb service
• curb weight
• kick to the curb

Rhymes for curb

• blurb
• erb
• herb
• kerb
• serb
• verb
• disturb
• perturb
• reverb
• superb

Kids Definition

curb

1 of 2 noun

ˈkərb 

1

: a chain or strap on a horse's bit used to control the horse by pressing against the lower jaw

2

: check entry 1 sense 3

price curbs

3

: an enclosing border (as of stone or concrete) often along the edge of a street

curb

2 of 2 verb

1

: to control by or furnish with or as if with a curb

legislation to curb price and wage increases

curb your appetite

2

: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (as a gutter) for defecation

Medical Definition

curb

noun

ˈkərb 

: a swelling on the back of the hind leg of a horse just behind the lowest part of the hock joint that is due to strain or rupture of the ligament and generally causes lameness