curvature
noun
cur·va·ture
ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇r 
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r
2
: a measure or amount of curving
specifically
: the rate of change of the angle through which the tangent to a curve turns in moving along the curve and which for a circle is equal to the reciprocal of the radius
3
a
: an abnormal curving (as of the spine)
b
: a curved surface of an organ
Synonyms
Examples of curvature in a Sentence
The lenses have different curvatures.
the curvature of the earth
The machine measures the eyeball's degree of curvature.
a disease that can cause curvature of the spine
Recent Examples on the Web
Since 2022, most interference has hit planes above 6,000 feet—suggesting the device that is causing the jamming is located on the ground, and that the more sensitive part of a plane's journey, at lower altitudes, is protected by the curvature of the Earth.
—
Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024
Its silver structure captivates the eye, with its unmistakable curvature hugging the roadways.
—Tiffany Leigh, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024
The design is very similar to the one at Onaway State Park, but has slight variations, most notably in the curvatures of the bowl edges.
—Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 2 Oct. 2024
That's because the curvature of the Earth causes the particles to interact higher in the atmosphere, where oxygen is less plentiful, resulting in a more reddish hue.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for curvature 
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Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024
Its silver structure captivates the eye, with its unmistakable curvature hugging the roadways.
—Tiffany Leigh, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024
The design is very similar to the one at Onaway State Park, but has slight variations, most notably in the curvatures of the bowl edges.
—Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 2 Oct. 2024
That's because the curvature of the Earth causes the particles to interact higher in the atmosphere, where oxygen is less plentiful, resulting in a more reddish hue.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for curvature
Dictionary Entries Near curvature
Cite this Entry
“Curvature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curvature. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
curvature
noun
cur·va·ture
ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇(ə)r
-chər
1
: the act of curving : the state of being curved
2
: an abnormal curving
curvature of the spine
Medical Definition
curvature
noun
cur·va·ture
ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -chər, -ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r
2
: a curved surface of an organ (as the stomach) see greater curvature, lesser curvature
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