curfew
Plural
curfews
1
an order or law that prohibits people from going outside after a specific time, particularly at night
- The government imposed a strict curfew, requiring everyone to be indoors by 9 PM to maintain public safety.
- During the state of emergency, the mayor announced a curfew to prevent looting and ensure order.
- As the clock struck ten, the streets emptied quickly, with everyone rushing home to avoid breaking curfew.
- The parents set a curfew for their teenagers, expecting them to be home by midnight on weekends.
- The soldiers patrolled the city to enforce the curfew, checking IDs and ensuring no one was out after hours.
2
a signal, often a bell or siren, indicating the start of curfew restrictions
- The town bell served as the curfew each evening.
- Citizens returned home when the curfew sounded.
- The curfew alerted everyone that the streets would soon be closed.
- The curfew was rung promptly at dusk.
- Children rushed inside at the curfew signal.
3
the specific time at which curfew restrictions begin
- The curfew is set for 9 p.m. every night.
- Residents must be indoors before the curfew.
- The mayor announced an earlier curfew due to unrest.
- Schools closed early to comply with curfew.
- He returned home well before curfew.