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 of periphery

• perimeter
• edge
• confines
• circumference
• boundary
• border
• edging

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

Several city councilmembers maintained that neighborhoods on the periphery of the city struggle with overflowing parking and residents who live in those neighborhoods needed cars – and therefore parking — to get to work. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

At the periphery, the big cities with their golden nightlights bound together by long threads of motorway. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

Yet, some efforts to combat homelessness in the center city pushed people to Charlotte’s periphery, including the east side, said Greg Asciutto, executive director of CharlotteEAST. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026

China remains deeply cautious about using its military beyond its immediate periphery, and Russia’s footprint in the Middle East has only shrunk since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. — Michael Fuchs, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026

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