cure
KYUR
/kjʊr/
To maintain humidity and temperature in freshly poured concrete to allow chemical hardening.
Curing is not drying; concrete hardens through chemical hydration, requiring moisture retention to reach full strength.
The story behind the word. From Latin cura (care or attention). While medical usage implies healing, in concrete science 'curing' means 'caring for' fresh concrete by preserving moisture so hydration chemistry can run to completion.
Word relationships
- harden: Harden describes physical gain in rigidity, while cure specifies controlled chemical hydration.
- set: Setting is the initial transition from liquid to solid; curing is long-term strength development.
- slump: The condition of wet, unhardened concrete sagging under its own weight.
Commonly confused with
- dry: Drying removes water and damages concrete strength; curing retains water to complete chemical bonds.
Word family
- cured (adjective): Fully hardened through chemical hydration.
- curing (noun): The process of preserving moisture during hardening.
Collocations
- moist cure
- curing compound
- cure time
- allow to cure
Example sentences
- "The crew knew they had to properly cure the new patio slab to prevent surface cracks."
- "Allowing the foundation to cure under wet burlap for seven days ensured high durability." Civil Engineering
Memory hook
CURE concrete with CARE and moisture. Cure = chemical hydration, not drying.
When not to use
Do not use 'cure' as a synonym for simple moisture evaporation or air-drying.
Fun facts
- Concrete continues to cure and gain strength for decades, though standard engineering checks happen at 28 days.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.