Curbing means holding something back or keeping it under control. When you curb your impulse to interrupt someone who's talking, you're restraining yourself even though you really want to speak. A school might implement new rules aimed at curbing bullying, trying to reduce or limit harmful behavior.

You might hear about curbing spending (controlling how much money you use), curbing your enthusiasm (tempering your excitement to stay focused), or a city curbing noise pollution (reducing excessive sound). The word suggests active effort and restraint. It's not about eliminating something completely, but rather managing it, keeping it in check, or preventing it from getting out of hand.

As a noun, a curb is the raised edge along a street or sidewalk. Cities add curbs to guide traffic, help with drainage, and create a clear boundary between the road and where people walk.