Curved path

ARC

Think of the shape a basketball makes when shot toward the hoop or the segment of a circle’s edge.

"Curved path" directly points to "ARC," which is a simple, smooth bend or segment of a circle. The word is often used in geometry or physics to describe a curved trajectory, like the path of a thrown ball or the shape of a rainbow. There’s no hidden wordplay here—it’s a straightforward definition where the clue and answer match in plain meaning. Think of an arch or a slice of a pie’s edge, and you’ve got the idea.