periphery

noun

pe·​riph·​ery pə-ˈri-f(ə-)rē 

plural peripheries

1

: the perimeter of a circle or other closed curve

also : the perimeter of a polygon

2

: the external boundary or surface of a body

3

a

: the outward bounds of something as distinguished from its internal regions or center : confines

b

: an area lying beyond the strict limits of a thing

Synonyms

• border
• borderline
• bound
• boundary
• brim
• circumference
• compass
• confines
• edge
• edging
• end
• frame
• fringe
• hem
• margin
• perimeter
• rim
• skirt
• skirting
• verge

Examples of periphery in a Sentence

the dogs are confined by an invisible electronic fence that runs along the periphery of the yard

Recent Examples on the Web

The city of Goma was gripped by palpable tension as clashes between Congo's armed forces and M23 raged on in the city's periphery on Friday. —Justin Kabumba and Mark Banchereau The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2025

The Bucks are thought to be on the periphery of the Butler trade discussions by other teams and are thought to have interest in at least exploring what deals could look like for Butler, Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal. —Sam Vecenie, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

But when the physical casinos perched in shady entrepots along China’s periphery were shuttered by the COVID-19 pandemic, these criminal organizations were forced to find other sources of income. —Charlie Campbell, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025

As a result, most houses are getting built in the areas where circumventing these dynamics is easiest, such as far urban peripheries. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French peripherie, from Late Latin peripheria, from Greek periphereia, from peripherein to carry around, from peri- + pherein to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

periphery

noun

pe·​riph·​ery pə-ˈrif-(ə-)rē 

plural peripheries

1

: the boundary or surface of a body or figure

2

: the outer or outermost part

Medical Definition

periphery

noun

pe·​riph·​ery pə-ˈrif-(ə-)rē 

plural peripheries

1

: the outward bounds of something as distinguished from its internal regions or center

2

: the regions (as the sense organs, the muscles, or the viscera) in which nerves terminate