curvature

noun

cur·​va·​ture ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇r 

-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

Synonyms

• angle
• arc
• arch
• bend
• bow
• crook
• curve
• inflection
• turn
• wind

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

Take the Ariana Grande x Swarovski Drop Earrings, for instance — whose curvature almost resembles that of shell spirals. —Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025

Kellermann evaluated the images with Rauhut and Elena Cuesta, an LMU paleobiologist, focusing on features such as the nasal cavities, jaw and tooth curvature. —Leslie Katz, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

For those who can't part ways with symmetry, Bee suggests having some curvature or another interesting shape. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

This mismatch causes field curvature, making stars at the image edges appear blurry. —Gemma Lavender, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing curvature

• center of curvature
• radius of curvature

Kids 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 

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