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

For those navigating this evolving landscape—be it entrepreneurs scaling startups, families weaving cultural immersion into their children's curriculum, or bleisure travelers mixing work with play—certain hotels stand out as ideal hubs for productivity, inspiration, and education. —Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025

Charter schools do not have fees, and receive taxpayer money to operate, but do not have to follow the same strict curriculum as public schools. —Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

That comes on top of steps the task force said the university already has taken, including developing mandatory training on combating antisemitism for all students and staff, reviewing curriculum and limiting disruptive protests, including in places like libraries and dorms. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 1 May 2025

Though recent efforts on the part of state legislatures and activist groups like Moms for Liberty to ban books in schools have received far greater attention, the A.P. curriculum and the Common Core have done much more to shape what students are—and are not—reading. —Alexander Manshel, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for curriculum

• reticulum
• diverticulum

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