curriculum

noun

cur·​ric·​u·​lum kə-ˈri-kyə-ləm 

plural curricula kə-ˈri-kyə-lə  also curriculums

1

: the courses offered by an educational institution

the high school curriculum

2

: a set of courses constituting an area of specialization

the engineering curriculum

the biological sciences curriculum

the liberal arts curriculum

Did you know?

The Different Plural Forms of Curriculum

Curriculum is from New Latin (a post-medieval form of Latin used mainly in churches and schools and for scientific coinages), in which language it means “a course of study.” It shares its ultimate root in classical Latin, where it meant “running” or “course” (as in “race course”), with words such as corridor, courier, and currency, all of which come from Latin currere “to run.”

As is the case with many nouns borrowed directly from Latin, there is often some confusion as to the proper way to form its plural. Both curricula and curriculums are considered correct.

This word is frequently seen in conjunction with vitae; a curriculum vitae (Latin for “course of (one’s) life”) is “a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position” – in other words, a résumé. Curriculum vitae is abbreviated CV, and is pluralized as curricula vitae.

Examples of curriculum in a Sentence

The college has a liberal arts curriculum.

Recent Examples on the Web

Supporters of the curriculum welcomed the state Board of Education's vote Friday, saying the curriculum will help students learn and accusing opponents of trying to ban the Bible from classrooms. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024

Trump’s threat to deny federal funding to schools that acknowledge transgender identities could affect curricula and the kinds of books school libraries stock. —Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024

Part of that curriculum involved Día de los Muertos, which Gonzales described as an Indigenous ceremony that dates back millennia to the Aztec people of Mexico. —Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024

All students are required to take fine arts and humanities courses as part of their undergraduate core curriculum, with the goal of promoting critical thinking and helping students examine problems through multiple lenses. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, going back to Latin, "action of running, course of action, race," from currere "to run" + -i- -i- + -culum, suffix of instrument and place (going back to Indo-European *-tlom) — more at current entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing curriculum

• curriculum vitae

Kids Definition

curriculum

noun

cur·​ric·​u·​lum kə-ˈrik-yə-ləm 

plural curricula -lə  also curriculums

: all the courses of study offered by a school

curricular

-lər

adjective