plural curbs
1
a
or British kerb
: an edging (as of concrete) built along a street to form part of a gutter
They sat on the curb eating their ice cream.
see also kick to the curb
b
[from the fact that it originally transacted its business on the street]
: a market for trading in securities not listed on a stock exchange
c
: a raised edge or margin to strengthen or confine
d
: an enclosing frame, border, or edging
2
b
: a bit that exerts severe pressure on a horse's jaws
also
: the chain or strap attached to it see bit illustration
curbed; curbing; curbs
1
: to furnish with a curb
2
: to check or control with or as if with a curb
trying to curb her curiosity
3
: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (such as a gutter) for defecation
Synonyms
Examples of curb in a Sentence
Noun
We sat on the curb eating our ice cream.
these international regulations act as a curb on the plundering of a nation's archaeological treasures
Verb
The legislation is intended to curb price and wage increases.
pills designed to curb your appetite
Recent Examples on the Web
Kathryn Varn, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
The contents of many people's homes and businesses were ruined by storm surge from the Gulf and tossed on the curb, everything from mattresses to dressers, chairs and filing cabinets.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 13 Oct. 2024
Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
However, Republicans have long expressed an interest in curbing access to the ACA.
—Li Zhou, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for curb 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
This one is low-cost because all your materials are probably still sitting on your curb!
—Kathryn Varn, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
The contents of many people's homes and businesses were ruined by storm surge from the Gulf and tossed on the curb, everything from mattresses to dressers, chairs and filing cabinets.
—Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 13 Oct. 2024
Verb
In San Benito County, voters embraced a slow-growth measure aimed at curbing Silicon Valley sprawl.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
However, Republicans have long expressed an interest in curbing access to the ACA.
—Li Zhou, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for curb
Dictionary Entries Near curb
Cite this Entry
“Curb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curb. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
curb
1 of 2 noun1
: a chain or strap on a horse's bit used to control the horse by pressing against the lower jaw
2
: check entry 1 sense 3
price curbs
3
: an enclosing border (as of stone or concrete) often along the edge of a street
curb
2 of 2 verb1
: to control by or furnish with or as if with a curb
legislation to curb price and wage increases
curb your appetite
2
: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (as a gutter) for defecation
Medical Definition
curb
noun
: a swelling on the back of the hind leg of a horse just behind the lowest part of the hock joint that is due to strain or rupture of the ligament and generally causes lameness
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