curriculum
Americannoun
PLURAL
curricula, curriculums-
the aggregate of courses of study given in a school, college, university, etc..
The school is adding more science courses to its curriculum.
-
the regular or a particular course of study in a school, college, etc.
noun
-
a course of study in one subject at a school or college
-
a list of all the courses of study offered by a school or college
-
any programme or plan of activities
Usage
Plural word for curriculum The plural form of curriculum can be either curricula or curriculums, although curricula is more commonly used. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -um are also formed in the same way, including memorandum/memoranda, and bacterium/bacteria. Irregular plurals that are formed like curricula derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin. However, the usual plural -s ending is often also acceptable for many of these terms, as in curriculums and memorandums.
Other Word Forms
- curricular adjective
- precurriculum noun
Etymology
Origin of curriculum
First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin: “action of running, course of action, race, chariot,” equivalent to curr(ere) “to run” + -i- -i- + -culum -cule 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All primary and secondary school pupils in the south are set to be taught about financial matters under changes to the national curriculum.
From BBC
This has led to schools needing to make cuts to support staff, teaching assistants, curriculum resources and enrichment.
From BBC
Regional automotive dealers and fleet operators, for example, inform our curriculum, donate equipment, offer paid internships and give us honest feedback about their new employees: our graduates.
The organization says that an estimated 150,000 teachers around the world regularly use its curriculum, as a discrete course or as elements in other courses.
From New York Times
The early childhood education curriculum begins in the student’s junior year.
From Seattle Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
