curvature

Curvature is when something bends or curves, like a wave in the ocean or the shape of a smile.

We use the word curvature to describe all sorts of things that aren't straight lines. For example, roads with lots of curves are said to have high curvature, which means they twist and turn a lot. If you're an engineer designing a bridge, you need to consider its curvature so it doesn't sag or fall apart under stress. Even in everyday language, we might talk about the curvature of someone's body when they bend down to pick something up - it's like their shape changes as they move.