curriculum

[ kuh-rik-yuh-luhm ]

noun

, plural cur·ric·u·la [k, uh, -, rik, -y, uh, -l, uh], cur·ric·u·lums.

1. the aggregate of courses of study given in a school, college, university, etc.:

   The school is adding more science courses to its curriculum.

2. the regular or a particular course of study in a school, college, etc.

curriculum

/ kəˈrɪkjʊləm /

noun

1. a course of study in one subject at a school or college
2. a list of all the courses of study offered by a school or college
3. any programme or plan of activities

Derived Forms

• curˈricular, adjective

Other Words From

• cur·ric·u·lar adjective
• pre·cur·ric·u·lum noun plural precurriculums precurricula

Word History and Origins

Origin of curriculum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of curriculum¹

C19: from Latin: course, from currere to run

Example Sentences

While parents consider their options for the fall, they are searching for homeschool schedules and curriculums to inform their decisions.

From Search Engine Land

I lead an education nonprofit that has worked for the last 15 years to build curricula for the skills young people will need to thrive in the future.

From Quartz

Charter schools, like e3 Civic High, are also moving quickly to adapt their curriculum to reflect underrepresented communities.

From Voice of San Diego

Within a week, she reworked her standard curriculum and launched coronavirus-specific training in two local hospitals, expanding to two more hospitals shortly after.

From MIT Technology Review

Medina said he talked to San Diego Unified teachers who teach the class for guidance on curriculum and instruction.

From Voice of San Diego

Charter schools have leeway over their calendar, curriculum, and who they hire and fire.

From The Daily Beast

“I guess I am trying to say that this is not an effort to transform the whole department or our curriculum,” Benson wrote.

From The Daily Beast

Later, the curriculum attracted the ire of tea party conservatives, and quickly became a cause celébre for Republicans.

From The Daily Beast

Sporting a beard, black plastic frames, and a Louis C.K.-like black T-shirt, he calls for adding guns to school curriculum.

From The Daily Beast

And we encourage parent-student “contracts,” for class attendance, homework submission and even extra-curriculum activities.

From The Daily Beast

These courses coupled with the original fundamental courses provided a rich curriculum for the public school children of Virginia.

From Project Gutenberg

The professor falls into a way of contenting himself with meeting the requirements of the college curriculum.

From Project Gutenberg

Supplementing the present curriculum by post-graduate courses will hardly suffice.

From Project Gutenberg

The second paper should speak of the curriculum of the public school, and give a clear idea of what is covered by the child.

From Project Gutenberg

May not required courses be added to the college curriculum to inculcate business power and sense in all women?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• educational program
• syllabus

What Is The Plural Of Curriculum?

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.