curb

Meaning

Noun

1. (US) A concrete margin along the edge of a road; a kerb (UK, Australia, New Zealand).
2. (US) A raised margin along the edge of something, such as a well or the eye of a dome, as a strengthening.
3. (US, figuratively) Something that checks or restrains; a restraint.
4. (US) A riding or driving bit for a horse that has rein action which amplifies the pressure in the mouth by leverage advantage placing pressure on the poll via the crown piece of the bridle and chin groove via a curb chain.
5. (Canada, US) A sidewalk, covered or partially enclosed, bordering the airport terminal road system with adjacent paved areas to permit vehicles to off-load or load passengers.
6. (US) A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness.

Verb

1. (US, transitive) To check, restrain or control.
2. (US, transitive) To rein in.
3. (US, transitive) To furnish with a curb, as a well; to restrain by a curb, as a bank of earth.
4. (US, abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, slang, transitive) Ellipsis of curb stomp.
5. (US, transitive) To bring to a stop beside a curb.
6. (US, transitive) To damage vehicle wheels or tires by running into or over a pavement curb.
7. (US, transitive) To bend or curve.
8. (US, intransitive) To crouch; to cringe.

Synonyms

restrain

control

check

kerb

suppress

bridle

repress

subdue

inhibit

stop

🛑

edge

kerb

rim

curbstone

hinder

hold back

contain

restraint

rein

detain

moderate

curb bit

govern

squelch

stem

restrict

prevent

obstruct

stifle

hold in

impede

hold

curtail

bit

curbing

catch

rein in

withhold

stamp down

retain

brake

quell

conquer

oppress

keep down

block

cut back

cumber

cease

crimp

Translations

réprimer

zügeln

frenare

Bordstein

beteugelen

bordillo

restreindre

bordure

freio

intomen

reprimir

retenir

hemmen

bordo del marciapiede

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kɝb/

Etymology

From Middle French courbe (“curve, curved object”), from Latin curvus (“bent, crooked, curved”). Doublet of curve.