A curfew is a law stating that people must stay inside their houses after a particular time at night, for example during a war.
The village was placed under curfew.
Crowds of people defied the curfew to celebrate on the streets.
curfew in British English
(ˈkɜːfjuː)
noun
1.
an official regulation setting restrictions on movement, esp after a specific time at night
2.
the time set as a deadline by such a regulation
3. (in medieval Europe)
a.
the ringing of a bell to prompt people to extinguish fires and lights
b.
the time at which the curfew bell was rung
c.
the bell itself
Word origin
C13: from Old French cuevrefeu, literally: cover the fire
curfew in American English
(ˈkɜrˌfju)
noun
1.
a.
in the Middle Ages, the ringing of a bell every evening as a signal for people to cover fires, put out lights, and retire
b.
the bell
c.
the time at which it was rung
2.
a.
a time, generally in the evening, set as a deadline beyond which inhabitants of occupied cities in wartime, children under a specified age, etc. may not appear on the streets or in public places
b.
the regulation establishing this time
Word origin
ME curfeu < OFr covrefeu, lit., cover fire < covrir (see cover) + feu, fire < L focus, fireplace: see focus
Examples of 'curfew' in a sentence
curfew
Will they be in by curfew time?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He was also given a suspended jail sentence and night curfew.
The Sun (2015)
The next day the curfew crumbled and we ventured on to the streets.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But civil liberties campaigners last night insisted the curfew was a step too far.
The Sun (2013)
He is free to come and go during the day but has to observe a curfew at night.
The Sun (2010)
The crowd begins slowly to disperse under the impatient eyes of police officers imposing a city curfew and people reluctantly shuffle home.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They were given night-time curfews and will face court again next month.
The Sun (2012)
The biggest issue isn't who washes up or curfew times.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Military personnel were already under a night-time curfew.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So far this time, no curfews or media restrictions have been imposed.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
All are supposed to be under a strict night-time curfew.
The Sun (2009)
The Liverpool star admits his mother used to give him curfews at night.
The Sun (2014)
The Asbo puts him under a night curfew.
The Sun (2007)
He was yesterday handed a 12-week night curfew.
The Sun (2014)
KR stars were under curfew at the time.
The Sun (2011)
Martial law and curfew imposed.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The night-time curfew has been relaxed.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Cops were already upset after the court removed an electronic tag this month - despite him breaching a curfew nine days in a row.
The Sun (2010)
We wrote down what we would and wouldn't do, and set a curfew.
Christianity Today (2000)
Further afield, modern quieter aeroplanes and the potential to extend the night-time curfew should offset the increased traffic.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He was electronically tagged, but breached his curfew FOUR times.
The Sun (2013)
Insurers want ministers to impose a night-time curfew on young drivers, as well as restrictions on the number of young passengers they can carry.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
curfew
British English: curfew /ˈkɜːfjuː/ NOUN
A curfew is a law stating that people must stay inside their houses after a particular time at night.
The village was placed under curfew.
American English: curfew
Arabic: حَظْرُ التَّجَوُّل
Brazilian Portuguese: horário de recolher
Chinese: 宵禁
Croatian: redarstveni sat
Czech: zákaz vycházení
Danish: spærretid
Dutch: avondklok
European Spanish: toque de queda
Finnish: ulkonaliikkumiskielto
French: couvre-feu
German: Ausgangssperre
Greek: απαγόρευση κυκλοφορίας
Italian: coprifuoco
Japanese: 夜間外出禁止令
Korean: 통행 금지
Norwegian: portforbud
Polish: godzina policyjna
European Portuguese: recolher obrigatório
Romanian: interdicția de a părăsi locuințele pe timp de noapte
Russian: комендантский час
Latin American Spanish: toque de queda
Swedish: utegångsförbud
Thai: การห้ามออกนอกบ้านยามวิกาล
Turkish: karartma
Ukrainian: комендантська година
Vietnamese: lệnh giới nghiêm
Chinese translation of 'curfew'
curfew
(ˈkəːfjuː)
n(c/u)
宵禁令 (xiāojìnlìng)
to put or place sth/sb under curfew对(對)某处(處)/某人实(實)行宵禁 (duì mǒuchù/mǒurén shíxíng xiāojìn)
to impose a curfew on sth/sb对(對)某处(處)/某人实(實)行宵禁 (duì mǒuchù/mǒurén shíxíng xiāojìn)