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
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 large 55-inch display gives you plenty of screen real estate, and the 1000R curvature wraps around your eyes for unparalleled immersion.
—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
3 July 2026
These New Balance sneakers have thick, firm outsoles with upward curvatures.
—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
The greater the mass of the object, the more extreme the curvature and thus the greater the gravitational influence of that object.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
29 June 2026
The Australian system, developed over 40 years, works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to detect distant objects that are invisible to conventional radars because of Earth’s curvature.
—
Rod McGuirk,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for curvature
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George Yang,
PC Magazine,
3 July 2026
These New Balance sneakers have thick, firm outsoles with upward curvatures.
—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
1 July 2026
The greater the mass of the object, the more extreme the curvature and thus the greater the gravitational influence of that object.
—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
29 June 2026
The Australian system, developed over 40 years, works by refracting high-frequency electromagnetic waves off the ionosphere to detect distant objects that are invisible to conventional radars because of Earth’s curvature.
—
Rod McGuirk,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for curvature
Cite this Entry
“Curvature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curvature. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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