curate

1 of 2

noun

cu·​rate ˈkyu̇r-ət How to pronounce curate (audio)
ˈkyər-,
 also  -ˌāt
1
: a member of the clergy in charge of a parish
sought the counsel of the curate
2
: a member of the clergy serving as assistant (as to a rector) in a parish

curate

2 of 2

verb

cu·​rate ˈkyu̇r-ˌāt How to pronounce curate (audio)
ˈkyər-;
kyu̇-ˈrāt How to pronounce curate (audio)
curated; curating; curates

transitive verb

1
: to select (the best or most appropriate) especially for presentation, distribution, or publication
… suggests finding smaller consignment or vintage stores that focus on carefully curating their products and displaying them nicely.Elizabeth Segran
: such as
a
: to select and organize (artistic works) for presentation in (something, such as an exhibit, show, or program)
Apsáalooke curator Nina Sanders curated the exhibit. She's in Chicago working on an Apsáalooke history exhibition at the Field Museum, coming in March.Darcel Rockett
[Hans] Zimmer has curated the show himself and it will be conducted by Gavin Greenaway and will star Lisa Gerrard.Rory Cashin
The two existing gallery spaces … display an extensive collection of sought-after art curated by a selection of the county's leading artists.Aaliyah Miller
[The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival's] organizers curate a balanced collection of short films, episodic projects and features both by U.S. Latino directors and Latin American artists across genres.Carlos Aguilar
b
: to select and organize (articles, images, etc.) for distribution or publication
The way TikTok algorithmically curates content for each individual user was also a wildly effective, even if unintentional, advertising tool.Morgan Sung
2
: to select and bring together (people or groups) for a purpose that is dependent on the specific skills or talents of the members
Edens also curated a team of "local legends," including Olympic gold medalists and National Geographic photographers, to help create the types of guest experiences … that have kept him coming back year after year.Jen Murphy
"This year, Black Thought, Questlove and I attempted to curate a lineup that broke through the genre barriers that often separate us in black culture. To be able to book Mickey Guyton, Kirk Franklin, G Herbo, Wizkid, Wallo & Gillie, and Mary J. Blige on the same lineup was a dream come true."Shawn Gee

Examples of curate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Each week, Maricopa and Pinal county reporter Sasha Hupka reports and curates must-know campaign news, insider exclusives and service-style voter tips from Arizona’s largest and most talented elections team. Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 23 Sep. 2024 Fiennes is backed by a stellar supporting cast that, in addition to Tucci's firebrand Bellini, included John Lithgow as a sanctimonious curate and Carlos Diehz as Cardinal Benitez, intriguing and comforting in his calm stillness. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 Sep. 2024
Verb
Saldaña’s look was curated by stylist Petra Flannery, who has also collaborated with Amy Adams and Reese Witherspoon, among others. Julia Teti, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024 Staged at the maison’s Champs Élysées flagship and curated by art consultant Hervé Mikaeloff, several of the works on display are linked to olfactory inspirations from the maison’s own oeuvre. Stephanie Hirschmiller, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for curate 

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English curat "person charged with the care of souls, parish priest," borrowed from Medieval Latin cūrātus, from cūrāre "to have spiritual charge of" + Latin -ātus -ate entry 2 — more at cure entry 2

Verb

back-formation from curator

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of curate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near curate

Cite this Entry

“Curate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curate. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

curate

1 of 2 noun
cu·​rate
ˈkyu̇r-ət
: a member of the clergy who assists the rector, pastor, or vicar of a church

curate

2 of 2 verb
cu·​rate
ˈkyu̇r-ˌāt,
ˈkyər-,
ˈkyu̇-ˌrāt
curated; curating
1
: to select and organize (as artistic works) for presentation
2
: to select and gather (people) for their specific skills
Etymology

Noun

Middle English curate "member of the clergy," from Latin curatus (same meaning), from cura "spiritual charge of souls," from earlier cura "care, healing" — related to accurate, cure

More from Merriam-Webster on curate

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