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Curb Very Common

Curb has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)

"After raining all night, water pooled along the curb before flowing into the storm drain."

2

a horse's bit with an attached chain or strap to check the horse

"The rider adjusted the curb on his horse before mounting to ensure the animal would respond properly to the reins."

3

a stock exchange in New York

"The investors rushed to the curb on Wall Street hoping the new regulations would stabilize the market immediately."

4

the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

"his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper"

5

A concrete margin along the edge of a road; a kerb (UK, Australia, New Zealand)

"The driver carefully guided the car up to the curb before pulling over to pick up the passenger."

In plain English: A curb is the low edge of concrete that separates a sidewalk from a street to keep people and cars apart.

"The horse reared up and hit its head on the curb before slowing down."

Usage: As a noun, curb refers to the raised stone or concrete edge at the side of a street that separates it from the sidewalk. When used as a verb, it means to restrict or limit something, such as spending habits or emotions.

Verb
1

lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits

"moderate your alcohol intake"

"hold your tongue"

"hold your temper"

"control your anger"

2

keep to the curb

"curb your dogs"

3

place restrictions on

"curtail drinking in school"

4

To check, restrain or control.

"The new safety regulations aim to curb reckless driving on busy highways."

In plain English: To curb something means to stop it from getting out of control by limiting how much you do it.

"The driver had to curb his speed when he saw the children playing in the street."

Example Sentences
"The horse reared up and hit its head on the curb before slowing down." noun
"The city plans to install more curbs around the busy intersection." noun
"She kept her dog on a short curb while waiting for the bus." noun
"Old wooden curbs were replaced with modern concrete ones last summer." noun
"The driver had to curb his speed when he saw the children playing in the street." verb
See Also
curvature gutter curb number hock rein force well terminal
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
edge bit restraint restrain limit
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
suppress damp mortify deny train catch bate thermostat countercheck abridge immobilize ration restrict

Origin

The word curb comes from the Old French courbe, meaning "curved," which itself was borrowed from the Latin curvus. Originally referring to anything that is bent or crooked, it entered English as a doublet of the modern verb "curve."

Rhyming Words
burb exurb courb blurb uncurb deturb refurb suburb ecoburb conturb perturb disturb slumburb zoomburb boomburb roof curb well curb ethnoburb deperturb technoburb
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