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
The curvature improvements will straighten parts of the tracks in and around Havre de Grace.
—
Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
The new road is about 600 feet long and has a sharper curvature than the highway section that collapsed.
—Steve Almasy, CNN, 30 June 2024
Sharing the same frame and curvatures, the Chevrolet Trax brings a great base price and entry level SUV option to consumers while space and usage are just a few of the greats that the Trax brings to the table.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2024
One with too much loft won’t be able to support the crucial curvatures properly, increasing the risk of back pain.
—Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for curvature 
Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
The new road is about 600 feet long and has a sharper curvature than the highway section that collapsed.
—Steve Almasy, CNN, 30 June 2024
Sharing the same frame and curvatures, the Chevrolet Trax brings a great base price and entry level SUV option to consumers while space and usage are just a few of the greats that the Trax brings to the table.
—Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2024
One with too much loft won’t be able to support the crucial curvatures properly, increasing the risk of back pain.
—Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for curvature
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.
Dictionary Entries Near curvature
Cite this Entry
“Curvature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curvature. Accessed 7 Jul. 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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