A parabola is a two-dimensional, symmetrical CURVE which is a graph of a quadratic equation. It is an open CURVE that looks like an arch or a U-shape and is often used in mathematics and physics. The two crossword solutions for the term PARABOLA are ARC (3 letters) and CURVE (5 letters). ARC is a three-letter word meaning a curved line, while CURVE is a five-letter word meaning a line that bends in a smooth, continuous way. Both words refer to the same shape, which is a parabola.