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
Synonyms
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
On the one hand, the observatories are some of the biggest scientific instruments ever built by humans, with mirrors set up about 2 1/2 miles apart on land graded to take into account the natural curvature of the earth.
—
Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 19 May 2024
This hair has to do with the rate of change, or the gradient, of space-time’s curvature at the horizon.
—Gaurav Khanna, The Conversation, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for curvature 
Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 19 May 2024
This hair has to do with the rate of change, or the gradient, of space-time’s curvature at the horizon.
—Gaurav Khanna, The Conversation, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for curvature
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'curvature.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near curvature
Cite this Entry
“Curvature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curvature. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
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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