curator

[ kyoo-rey-ter, kyoor-ey- kyoor-uh-ter ]

noun

1. the person in charge of a museum, art collection, etc.
2. a person who selects content for presentation, as on a website.
3. a manager; superintendent.
4. Law. a guardian of a minor or any other person who is unable to care for their own affairs, especially with regard to their property.

curator

/ ˌkjʊərəˈtɔːrɪəl; kjʊəˈreɪtə /

noun

1. the administrative head of a museum, art gallery, or similar institution
2. law a guardian of a minor, mentally ill person, etc

Derived Forms

• cuˈratorˌship, noun
• curatorial, adjective

Other Words From

• cu·ra·to·ri·al [ky, oo, r-, uh, -, tawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, tohr, -], adjective
• cu·rator·ship noun
• subcu·rator noun
• subcu·ra·tori·al adjective
• subcu·rator·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of curator¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin, equivalent to cūrā(re) “to care for, attend to” ( cure ) + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of curator¹

C14: from Latin: one who cares, from cūrāre to care for, from cūra care

Example Sentences

The museum’s chief curator has lamented that “it looks like a postage stamp.”

From Los Angeles Times

He’s most widely known for his experimental choreography, and the exhibition’s curators are smart to start off with this rousing, engulfing example of it.

From New York Times

Mr Hughes' research into soldiers who died during World War Two is on display at the Home Front Museum in Llandudno, where he is the curator.

From BBC

Cara Manes, an associate curator at the Museum of Modern Art, once said that Gaitonde’s works were an embodiment of what silence might look like.

From BBC

“The community is really fortunate to have new rockets with these heavy lift capabilities available to them,” said Matthew Shindell, planetary science and exploration curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• administrator
• conservator
• custodian
• director
• manager