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curb cut

A lowered area of curb to allow vehicles to access driveways or approaches, a drop kerb.

ˈkɝb ˈkʌtDocumented since 1920s1920sSilenthistorical143 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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Born ~1920 · no dated citations yet
1920BornToday, 2026

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#1·Apr 27, 2026

A lowered area of curb to allow vehicles to access driveways or approaches, a drop kerb.

Curb cuts or beginning of approaches shall not be nearer the intersection than the extension of the property line between 20 ft and 12 ft controls.
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(US) A small ramp cut into a curb to allow wheelchairs, baby carriages, bicycles, etc. to more easily enter or leave a sidewalk.

Curb cuts or beginning of approaches shall not be nearer the intersection than the extension of the property line between 20 ft and 12 ft controls.
Origin: Compound of . Attested since the 1920s in the “vehicle access” sense. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

"curb cut" means: A small ramp cut into a curb to allow wheelchairs, baby carriages, bicycles, etc. to more easily enter or leave a sidewalk.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"curb cut" means: A small ramp cut into a curb to allow wheelchairs, baby carriages, bicycles, etc. to more easily enter or leave a sidewalk.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (US) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable

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