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
Cite this Entry
“Curvature.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curvature. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.
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