Word of the Day cu·rate 1 /ˈkyo͝orət,ˈkyo͝oˌrāt/ noun noun: curate ; plural noun: curates ; noun: assistant curate ; plural noun: assistant curates a member of the clergy engaged as assistant to a vicar, rector, or parish priest. ARCHAIC a minister with pastoral responsibility. Origin Middle English: from medieval Latin curatus , from Latin cura ‘care’. cu·rate 2 /ˌkyo͝oˈrāt,ˈkyo͝oˌrāt/ verb verb: curate ; 3rd person present: curates ; past tense: curated ; past participle: curated ; gerund or present participle: curating select, organize, and look after the items in (a collection or exhibition). "both exhibitions are curated by the museum's director" select the performers or performances that will feature in (an arts event or program). "in past years the festival has been curated by the likes of David Bowie" select, orga