curb

(kûrb)
n.

1. A concrete border or row of joined stones forming part of a gutter along the edge of a street.
2. An enclosing framework, such as that around a skylight.
3. A raised margin along an edge used to confine or strengthen.
4. Something that checks or restrains: High interest rates put a curb on spending.
5. A chain or strap that passes under a horse's lower jaw and serves in conjunction with the bit to restrain the horse.
6. A market, originally on a street or sidewalk, for trading securities that are not listed on a stock exchange.

tr.v., curbed, curb·ing, curbs.

1. To check, restrain, or control as if with a curb; rein in. See synonyms at restrain.
2. To lead (a dog) off the sidewalk into the gutter so that it can excrete waste.
3. To furnish with a curb.

[Blend of Middle English, curved piece of wood (from Old French corbe, curved object , from corbe, curved , from Latin curvus) and Middle English corbe, horse strap (from corben, to bow down, halt , from Old French corber, to bow down , from Latin curvāre , from curvus, curved, bent).]

View more Miscellaneous videos

In British English, curb is a noun meaning 'a check or restraint' and a verb meaning 'to restrain'. As a noun it also means 'a strap fastened to a bit on a horse', and 'a fender round a hearth'. In American English, curb has these meanings and is also 'a stone edging to a pavement (sidewalk)', which in British English is spelt kerb.

Previous:	cupola, cupful, cuneiform
Next:	curio, curriculum, curtsy

noun

Something that limits or restricts: check, circumscription, constraint, cramp, inhibition, limit, limitation, restraint, restriction, stricture, trammel. See limited/unlimited.

verb

To control, restrict, or arrest: bit, brake, bridle, check, constrain, hold, hold back, hold down, hold in, inhibit, keep, keep back, pull in, rein (back, in. or up), restrain. See restraint/unrestraint.

n

Definition: restraining device; check
Antonyms: encouragement, opening

v

Definition: repress, restrict
Antonyms: aid, assist, encourage, foster, help

IN BRIEF: Anything that holds back. Also: The stone or concrete edging along a street.

We can't all be heroes. Somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. — Will Rogers (1879-1935).

LearnThatWord.com is a free vocabulary and spelling program where you only pay for results!

1. thickening of the plantar tarsal ligament in the hock of the horse. The ligament is obviously thickened a few inches below the point of the hock. Initially there is pain at the site, the horse is lame and at rest stands with the weight on the other leg.
2. that part of a curb bit in a bridle that provides the restraint additional to the bit itself. Includes the bars and chain. See also bit (2).

• c. reins — the reins attached to the bars of a curb bit.

For a list of words related to curb, see:

• Building and Machine Parts - curb: enclosing framework or border; element that restrains or checks
• Driving and Repair - curb: low bump at edge of roadway that separates it from sidewalk; also, esp. Brit., kerb
• Roadways and Driving - curb: edging built along roadway forming lip of gutter; also, esp. Brit., kerb
• Securities - curb: market dealing in securities not listed on exchange

---

See words rhyming with "curb."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Curb.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Dansk (Danish)
n. - tømme, bånd, hindring, bremse, kantsten, brøndkarm
v. tr. - tøjle, holde tilbage, hindre, dæmpe, give bidsel på, forsyne med kantsten

Nederlands (Dutch)
stoeprand, beperking, bit, haardscherm, (water) putrand, intomen, beteugelen, van haardscherm/putrand etc. voorzien, een hond in de goot laten poepen

Français (French)
n. - restriction, (US) bord du trottoir, (Équit) gourmette, mors
v. tr. - réfréner, limiter, juguler, restreindre, se dominer, mettre un mors à, (US) apprendre le caniveau (à un chien)

Deutsch (German)
v. - zügeln
n. - Kandare, Behinderung, Bordstein

Ελληνική (Greek)
v. - χαλιναγωγώ, περιορίζω, καταστέλλω, περιστέλλω
n. - χαλινάρι, (μτφ.) μέσο ή όριο συγκράτησης, χαλινός, κράσπεδο ή ρείθρο πεζοδρόμιου

Italiano (Italian)
cordolo, dominare, contenere, domare, frenare, bordo del marciapiede

Português (Portuguese)
v. - refrear, restringir, sujeitar
n. - guia (f) (meio-fio), barbela (f), freio (m) de cavalo, parapeito (m)

Русский (Russian)
обуздать, обуздание, узда, обочина

Español (Spanish)
n. - bordillo, cordón de la vereda
v. tr. - refrenar, reprimir, contener

Svenska (Swedish)
v. - hindra, sätta stopp för, tygla
n. - kindkedja, band, bromsande effekt, brunnskar, krans (i schakt), trottoarkant

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
抑制, 边石, 勒马绳, 勒住, 束缚

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 抑制, 邊石, 勒馬繩
v. tr. - 抑制, 勒住, 束縛

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 고삐, 구속, 틀
v. tr. - 구속하다, 재갈을 물리다, 가장자리 장식으로 꾸미다

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - へり, 縁石, 抑制, 止めぐつわ
v. - 抑制する

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(فعل) كبح, لجم, قمع (الاسم) حافه الرصيف, رادع, كابح‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮אבן-שפה, רסן‬
v. tr. - ‮בלם, ריסן‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.