What does kerbstone mean?
A kerbstone is one of the stones that make up a kerb, the raised boundary separating a road from its pavement or adjacent ground. The term is chiefly British; North American speakers generally use “curbstone” or “curb block.” Although a kerbstone may be made from concrete, stone, or another durable material, the word usually suggests a substantial, fixed paving unit positioned along a street edge. It is useful when discussing construction, maintenance, road design, or historic paving, where the individual blocks matter—for example, when identifying cracked or displaced units. The word should not be confused with “kerb,” which names the complete border formed by a row of kerbstones rather than a single block within it. Kerbstones also have a practical civic presence, forming the physical boundary between pedestrian and traffic space.
nounA single stone forming part of a kerb, the raised border along the edge of a road or pavement. The North American equivalent is a curbstone.
- A stone forming part of the raised border at the edge of a road or pavement.
"The old kerbstone was chipped but still firmly in place."
"Rainwater collected in the gap between the kerbstone and the road."
"The masons replaced several original kerbstones along the churchyard wall."
Used when referring to individual stones collectively, especially during road or pavement construction and maintenance.
"The new kerbstones were installed along both sides of the street."
A kerbstone may seem ordinary, but a whole street edge can be made from hundreds of these individually shaped blocks.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kerbstone come from?
Kerbstone is a British English compound formed from “kerb” and “stone,” literally describing a stone used to form a kerb. “Kerb” is the British spelling of “curb,” both words denoting an edging or raised boundary beside a road. The compound reflects the traditional construction of a kerb from individual stone blocks before standardized concrete kerb units became widespread.
Related word forms
How kerbstone is actually used
Chiefly used in British English; in North American English, the usual term is curbstone. The word usually refers to an individual stone rather than the entire kerb.
Easily confused with kerbstone
A kerb is the complete raised border at the edge of a road, whereas a kerbstone is one of the stones forming that border.