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Definition of curb in English:

curb

Pronunciation /kərb/

See synonyms for curb

Translate curb into Spanish

noun

  • 1North American A stone or concrete edging to a street or path.

  • 2A check or restraint on something.

    • ‘ curbs on the powers of labor unions’

  • 3

    (also curb bit)
    A type of bit that is widely used in western riding. In English riding it is usually only used with a snaffle as part of a double bridle.

  • 4A swelling on the back of a horse's hock, caused by spraining a ligament.

transitive verb

[with object]

  • 1Restrain or keep in check.

    • ‘she promised she would curb her temper’
    restrain, hold back, keep back, hold in, repress, suppress, fight back, bite back, keep in check, check, control, keep under control, rein in, keep a tight rein on, contain, discipline, govern, bridle, tame, subdue, stifle, smother, swallow, choke back, muzzle, silence, muffle, strangle, gag
    View synonyms
    1. 1.1Restrain (a horse) by means of a curb.
      • ‘both men were instinctively curbing their horses’

  • 2US Lead (a dog being walked) near the curb to urinate or defecate, in order to avoid soiling buildings, sidewalks, etc.

Origin

Late 15th century (denoting a strap fastened to the bit): from Old French courber ‘bend, bow’, from Latin curvare (see curve).