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¹curb

noun \ˈkərb\

: a short border along the edge of a street that is usually made of stone or concrete

: something that controls or limits something else

Full Definition of CURB

: a bit that exerts severe pressure on a horse's jaws; also : the chain or strap attached to it — see bit illustration

: an enclosing frame, border, or edging

: check, restraint <a price curb>

: a raised edge or margin to strengthen or confine

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

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

See curb defined for English-language learners

See curb defined for kids

Origin of CURB

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CURB

Synonyms: check, circumscription, condition, constraint, restriction, fetter, limitation, restraint, stricture

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Rhymes with CURB

blurb, herb, kerb, Serb, verb

²curb

verb

: to control or limit (something)

Full Definition of CURB

transitive verb

: to furnish with a curb

: to check or control with or as if with a curb <trying to curb her curiosity>

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

See curb defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of CURB

1530

Related to CURB

Synonyms: bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame

Antonyms: lose

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

CURB Defined for Kids

¹curb

noun \ˈkərb\

Definition of CURB for Kids

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

: ¹check 2 <a curb on rising prices>

²curb

verb

curbedcurb·ing

Definition of CURB for Kids

: to control or limit <curb spending> <This will curb your appetite.>

Medical Dictionary

curb

noun \ˈkərb\

Medical Definition of CURB

: 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