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

For all the concerns about anti-ICE protests and anti-American sentiment disrupting the opening ceremony, real-world conflicts remained largely on the periphery. —Pien Huang, NPR, 6 Feb. 2026

The neighborhood/area The estate sits at the periphery of Port Jervis, which is conveniently reachable from the city from NJ Transit via the Metro-North. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026

Specifically, the fish that the octopuses hit tended to move away from the octopus or to the periphery of the group. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

One of the joys of learning a minor language is falling in love with the periphery. —Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 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