Kerb: meaning, definitions and examples

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kerb

 

[ kษœหb ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

road

A stone edging to a pavement or raised path.

Synonyms

curb.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
kerb

Primarily used in British English to refer to the edge where a pavement (sidewalk) meets the road.

  • She tripped over the kerb and twisted her ankle.
  • The new kerb markings have made it safer for pedestrians.
curb

Used in American English both as a noun (similar to the British 'kerb') and as a verb meaning to restrain or control something.

  • The car jumped the curb and hit a tree.
  • He needs to curb his spending habits.

Examples of usage

  • The kerb is painted yellow to indicate no parking.
  • She tripped and fell off the kerb.
  • We sat on the kerb waiting for the bus.
Context #2 | Noun

British English

The edge of the raised pavement at the side of a road.

Synonyms

curb.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
kerb

Primarily used in British English to refer to the edge of a pavement where it meets the road.

  • He tripped over the kerb while walking.
  • The car was parked close to the kerb.
curb

Common in American English, this word also refers to the edge of the pavement. Additionally, 'curb' can mean to restrain or control something.

  • She had to step up on the curb to cross the street.
  • He needs to curb his spending habits.

Examples of usage

  • He stepped off the kerb without looking.
  • The children played ball near the kerb.
  • The dog ran along the kerb chasing a cat.
Context #3 | Verb

British English

To put a kerb or curb on (a street or pavement).

Synonyms

curb.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
kerb

This word is commonly used in British English to refer to the edge of a sidewalk or road.

  • Be careful when stepping off the kerb.
  • The new bicycle lane is separated from the road by a raised kerb.
curb

This word is used in American English to mean the edge of a sidewalk or road. It can also mean to restrain or control something.

  • Please park your car close to the curb.
  • He tried to curb his excitement during the meeting.
  • The government is implementing new measures to curb inflation.

Examples of usage

  • The council decided to kerb the street for safety reasons.
  • They kerbed the sidewalk to prevent cars from parking there.

Translations

Translations of the word "kerb" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น meio-fio

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคซเฅเคŸเคชเคพเคฅ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Bordstein

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tepi trotoar

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฑะพั€ะดัŽั€

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ krawฤ™ลผnik

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ธ็Ÿณ๏ผˆใˆใ‚“ใ›ใ๏ผ‰

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท bordure

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ bordillo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kaldฤฑrฤฑm taลŸฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์—ฐ์„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑุตูŠู ุงู„ุดุงุฑุน

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ obrubnรญk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ obrubnรญk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ทฏ็ผ˜็Ÿณ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ robnjak

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ gangstรฉttarbrรบn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะพั€ะดัŽั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒ แƒ“แƒ˜แƒฃแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bordรผr

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ borde

Etymology

The word 'kerb' originated from Middle English 'curb', which came from Old North French 'curb', meaning 'strap, curb on a horse'. The spelling 'kerb' is primarily used in British English, while 'curb' is more common in American English. The concept of using kerbs for road edges dates back to ancient times when stones were placed along the sides of roads to guide chariots and prevent them from veering off course.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,168, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.