curfew

[ kur-fyoo ]

noun

1. an order establishing a specific time in the evening after which certain regulations apply, especially that no civilians or other specified group of unauthorized persons may be outdoors or that places of public assembly must be closed.
2. a regulation requiring a person to be home at a certain prescribed time, as imposed by a parent on a child.
3. the time at which a daily curfew starts.
4. the period during which a curfew is in effect.
5. a signal, usually made with a bell, announcing the start of the time of restrictions under a curfew.
6. a bell for sounding a curfew.
7. (in medieval Europe) the ringing of a bell at a fixed hour in the evening as a signal for covering or extinguishing fires.
8. a metal cover for shielding a banked or unattended fire.

curfew

/ ˈkɜːfjuː /

noun

1. an official regulation setting restrictions on movement, esp after a specific time at night
2. the time set as a deadline by such a regulation
3. in medieval Europe
   1. the ringing of a bell to prompt people to extinguish fires and lights
   2. the time at which the curfew bell was rung
   3. the bell itself

Word History and Origins

Origin of curfew¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French coverfeu, Old French covrefeu literally, (it) covers (the) fire. See cover, focus

Word History and Origins

Origin of curfew¹

C13: from Old French cuevrefeu, literally: cover the fire

Example Sentences

Mr Edwards has also learned that Waring could be free as early as April 2026 under the Home Detention Curfew scheme, although the MOJ said this would only happen subject to a risk assessment closer to the time.

From BBC

"Match day was almost a day when curfew would encircle the family and you had to make sure everyone was home, because there was such a lot of anger and violence," Dr Puwar remembers.

From BBC

The post on Facebook also said changes would be made to camping facilities for next year's event including a "chilled zone" which would have a noise curfew of 23:00 BST.

From BBC

They also complained that they were subject to a 10 p.m. curfew in their dormitories.

From Los Angeles Times

Amid the outpouring of criticism that followed, the city abolished the curfew and announced improvements that included paying them every two weeks and shortening commuting distances.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• time limit