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normal curve
noun
plural normal curves
: the symmetrical bell-shaped curve of a normal distribution : bell curve
Examples of normal curve in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That can have some distinct physical effects: Prolonged sitting can cause posture changes, like the flattening of the spine’s normal curve and chronic muscle deconditioning, which can make your muscles fatigue faster during workouts, research in the journal Medicina found.
—Ashley Mateo, SELF, 28 June 2023
In fact, back pain impacts approximately 84% of adults.1 Lumbar support pillows help maintain the normal curves of the spine while seated and relieve back pain and provide support to the spine and back muscles.
—Michelle Pugle, Health, 9 Mar. 2023
The high torque requires feathering the throttle off the line to avoid excess wheelspin, then standing on the gas when the revs begin to climb a somewhat normal curve.
—Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
The curve was 105 degrees; a normal curve at the top of the spine, known as kyphosis, is 40 degrees.
—Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2022
When unemployment shot up from 4.6% in 2007 to 10% in 2009, the normal curve predicted deep deflation.
—Neel Kashkari, WSJ, 21 May 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'normal curve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1894, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near normal curve
Cite this Entry
“Normal curve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/normal%20curve. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
normal curve
noun
: a symmetrical bell-shaped curve that is often used as an approximation to the graph of scores or measurements consisting of many bunched values near the average in the middle and a few large and a few small values arranged toward the opposite ends
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