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

Having been in the periphery of powerful government positions his whole life thanks to his infamous family, Kennedy had turned down Cabinet jobs and candidacies before. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

Developed in the 17th century, the system displays the time with an orbital disc (or discs) that indicates the hour and points to the minute along an arc that sits on the periphery of the dial. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2025

Pascal joked, saying Isaac — who was playing a ghost — would creep into his periphery. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 5 Dec. 2025

Sensations in our periphery (light, motion, temperature) compete with those at the level of autonomic (heart rate, breath rate) and metabolic systems (hunger, thirst), and even ongoing emotional and psychological concerns (a recent embarrassment or relationship trouble). —Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 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