Definition of peripheral
1 : of, relating to, involving, or forming a periphery or surface part
2a : of, relating to, affecting, or being part of the peripheral nervous system peripheral nerves peripheral neuritisb : of, relating to, or being blood in the systemic circulation peripheral lymphocytes
3 : of, relating to, or being the outer part of the field of vision good peripheral vision
4 : auxiliary, supplementary peripheral equipment; also : of or relating to computer peripherals
peripherally
adverbRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of peripheral in a Sentence
If we focus too much on peripheral issues, we will lose sight of the goal.
peripheral devices such as modems and scanners
He saw in his peripheral vision that a car was trying to pass him.
Recent Examples of peripheral from the Web
-
Diabetes — Diabetes is linked to several vascular diseases including atherosclerosis, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
-
A peripheral vascular disease seminar, Healing Limbs, Saving Lives, will run from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Highland Town Hall, 3333 Ridge Road, Highland.
-
Those include peripheral neuropathy, which is numbness or pain from nerve damage in the hands and feet, carpal tunnel syndrome, and kidney failure.
-
Yes, injury is always there, just at the edge of peripheral athletic vision, like a psychological ghost - the moment that's an instant away, and the weeks, maybe months, that are decided in an instant.
-
Power, the research says, primes our brain to screen out peripheral information.
-
What everyone failed to see were the many peripheral costs that have become overwhelming.
-
Since atomic energy has so many expensive complications, most American energy companies don’t consider it because of the peripheral costs, regulations and NIMBY complications.
-
Note that this peripheral’s switches are not Cherry MX, which is the more popular brand for mechanical keyboards.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'peripheral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Your peripheral vision is the outer area of your field of vision, where you can still detect movement and shapes. It can be very valuable when, for instance, you're driving into Chicago at rush hour, especially when switching lanes. When people call an issue in a discussion peripheral, they mean that it's not of primary importance, and they're probably suggesting that everyone get back to the main topic. Peripheral is now also a noun: computer peripherals are the added components—printers, webcams, microphones, etc.—that increase a computer's capacities.
First Known Use of peripheral
1808
peripheral
Definition of peripheral
: a device connected to a computer to provide communication (such as input and output) or auxiliary functions (such as additional storage)
Recent Examples of peripheral from the Web
-
The NBA is full of teams that can't figure it out, keeping the revolving door of openings and needs always in Calipari's peripheral.
-
Those peripherals are probably enough to inspire a great deal of confidence in most observers.
-
Although the 26-year-old right-hander has also blown two saves, his peripherals suggest his season is more unlucky than bad.
-
The relief corps hasn't disappointed, sporting a 2.55 ERA that ranks third in the Majors and peripherals that suggest the success will continue.
-
The peripheral is available for pre-order now at the Microsoft Store.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'peripheral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of peripheral
1966
PERIPHERAL Defined for English Language Learners
peripheral
playDefinition of peripheral for English Language Learners
-
: not relating to the main or most important part
-
computers : connected to a computer but not an essential part of it
-
: of or relating to the area that is to the side of the area you are looking at
peripheral
Definition of peripheral for English Language Learners
-
computers : a piece of equipment (such as a printer, speaker, etc.) that is connected to a computer but is not an essential part of it
Medical Dictionary
peripheral
playMedical Definition of peripheral
1: of, relating to, involving, forming, or located near a periphery or surface part (as of the body)
2: of, relating to, affecting, or being part of the peripheral nervous system peripheral nerves
3: of, relating to, or being the outer part of the visual field good peripheral vision
4: of, relating to, or being blood in the systemic circulation peripheral lymphocytes peripheral blood
Learn More about peripheral
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for peripheral Spanish Central: Translation of peripheral Nglish: Translation of peripheral for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of peripheral for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up peripheral? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!