curvature

noun

cur·​va·​ture ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce curvature (audio)
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r
1
: the act of curving : the state of being curved
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

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 Alchemist, in fact, has a large planetarium dome that lets its guests dine surrounded by projections of underwater sea life, inside a human body or, appropriately, looking down on the curvature of the earth. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 In footage of his early graffiti stunts, the images themselves don’t really seem to be the point, any more than the color and curvature of rubber balls are the point of juggling. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Such incompleteness was a key motivator for Albert Einstein’s efforts to forge a new concept of gravity all his own—his general theory of relativity, which treats gravity as the curvature of spacetime induced by massive objects. Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 15 Feb. 2024 The towers, which will be anchored to the seabed with cables, will be obscured from the beach by fog, weather patterns and the curvature of the Earth, supporters say. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024 Astigmatism occurs when there is an imperfection in the curvature of the eye, resulting in blurry vision. Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 21 Dec. 2023 Like the Apple Watch, the Amazfit also has a curved screen, though the curvature is less pronounced. Chuong Nguyen, Ars Technica, 25 Oct. 2023 The researchers suggest that the strong curvature of spacetime near the center of a black hole extends into the future, which is structured like a white hole, or a blackhole in reverse. Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2023 Up that high, the curvature of the earth and the darkness of space can be seen with the naked eye. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curvature.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curvature was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near curvature

Cite this Entry

“Curvature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curvature. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

curvature

noun
cur·​va·​ture ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇(ə)r How to pronounce curvature (audio)
-chər
1
: the act of curving : the state of being curved
2
: an abnormal curving
curvature of the spine

Medical Definition

curvature

noun
1
: an abnormal curving (as of the spine) see kyphosis, scoliosis
2
: a curved surface of an organ (as the stomach) see greater curvature, lesser curvature

More from Merriam-Webster on curvature

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