curb

[ kurb ]

noun

1. Also British, kerb. a rim, especially of joined stones or concrete, along a street or roadway, forming an edge for a sidewalk.
2. anything that restrains or controls; restraint; check.
3. an enclosing framework or border.
4. Also called curb bit. a bit used with a bridoon for control of a horse, to which a chain curb chain is hooked.
5. Also called curb market;. a market, originally on the sidewalk or street, for the sale of securities not listed on a stock exchange. Compare American Stock Exchange.
6. the framework around the top of a well.
7. the arris between an upper and a lower slope on a gambrel or mansard roof.
8. a belt of metal, masonry, etc., for abutting a dome at its base.
9. (in a windmill) the track on which the cap turns.
10. Veterinary Pathology. a swelling on the lower part of the back of the hock of a horse, often causing lameness.
11. Engineering. the cutting edge at the bottom of a caisson.
12. Carpentry. purlin plate.

verb (used with object)

1. to control as with a curb; restrain; check.

   Synonyms: repress, bridle

   Antonyms: encourage

2. to cause to keep near the curb:

   Curb your dog.

3. Also British, kerb. to furnish with or protect by a curb.
4. to put a curb on (a horse).

curb

¹

/ kɜːb /

noun

1. something that restrains or holds back
2. any enclosing framework, such as a wall of stones around the top of a well
3. 1. Also calledcurb bit a horse's bit with an attached chain or strap, which checks the horse
   2. Also calledcurb chain the chain or strap itself
4. a hard swelling on the hock of a horse

verb

1. to control with or as if with a curb; restrain

curb

²

noun

1. vet science a swelling on the leg of a horse, below the point of the hock, usually caused by a sprain

Other Words From

• curb·a·ble adjective
• curb·less adjective
• curb·like adjective
• un·curb verb (used with object)
• un·curb·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of curb¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English curb, courbe “curved piece of wood” (noun), “stooped, hunchbacked” (adjective), from Anglo-French curb, courb “curved, bowed,” Old French, from Latin curvus “crooked, bent, curved”; curve

Word History and Origins

Origin of curb¹

C15: from Old French courbe curved piece of wood or metal, from Latin curvus curved

Synonym Study

See check ¹.

Example Sentences

It will hear evidence from a body called Healthcare Professionals for Safer Screens, which wants curbs on smartphones.

From BBC

We have reported on India’s Supreme Court ordering the government to take urgent steps to curb pollution every year.

From BBC

But he has also adopted positions with popular support, scrutinising the use of food additives and urging that the power of big pharma be curbed.

From BBC

Within a year, Kazakhstan's Bitcoin mining industry went from boom to bust as the government imposed restrictions and increased taxes to curb the growth.

From BBC

The US will still continue fighting climate change and curbing its emissions of planet-warming gases despite the election of Donald Trump, the US special envoy told the COP29 conference on its opening day.

From BBC

Related Words

• constrain
• contain
• control
• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• inhibit
• restrain
• suppress
• tame