curate

[kyoor-it, kyoo-reyt, kyoor-eyt]

noun

1. Chiefly British.,  a member of the clergy employed to assist a rector or vicar.

2. any ecclesiastic entrusted with the cure of souls, as a parish priest.

verb (used with object)

curated, curating 

1. to take charge of (a museum) or organize (an art exhibit).

   to curate a photography show.

2. to pull together, sift through, and select for presentation, as music or website content.

   “We curate our merchandise with a sharp eye for trending fashion,” the store manager explained.

curate

¹

/ ˈkjʊərɪt /

noun

1. a clergyman appointed to assist a parish priest

2. a clergyman who has the charge of a parish ( curate-in-charge )

3. an assistant barman

curate

²

/ kjʊəˈreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to be in charge of (an art exhibition or museum)

Other Word Forms

• curatic adjective
• curatical adjective
• curateship noun
• curation noun
• subcurate noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of curate¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English curat, from Anglo-French or directly from Medieval Latin cūrātus, equivalent to Latin cūr(a) “care” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of curate¹

C14: from Medieval Latin cūrātus, from cūra spiritual oversight, _cure

Origin of curate²

C20: back formation from _curator

Example Sentences

The event was originally known as the “Festival of Festivals,” meaning that it has always been a part of its mission to present a curated selection of the year’s best films.

From Los Angeles Times

The new Topshop spring collection will feature 120 pieces, curated by John Lewis.

From BBC

Her living spaces were delicately curated, with indigenous artifacts, rocks and leaves she would pick up on her walks and vintage wind-up toys.

From Los Angeles Times

Apple previously told Bloomberg that it collaborates with many developers “to increase app visibility in rapidly evolving categories” and features thousands of apps in charts, algorithmic recommendations and curated lists by experts using objective criteria.

From Los Angeles Times

We are sitting between the “Miscellaneous Horror” and “Juvenile Delinquents” sections at CineFile Video, a compact, densely stocked curated video store on the westside of Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times