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

And there have always been figures at the periphery of the research community who have refused to accept the evidence for climate change and would happily contribute to a report that rejects mainstream science. —Alex Goy, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025

Sale items compete for attention along the periphery. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025

But doing it while seated so high and upright, perceiving the violent rush, the blurring of the periphery through a huge nearly flat windscreen instead of an exotic car’s mail slot is without doubt a unique experience in the world. —Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Measurements were taken along the stiffness compliant area at three different points of the periphery (inner arc). —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 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