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

The reality may be trickier for others on the sports periphery, including fans or coaches in less prominent sports. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Constrained by societal conventions that historically relegated women’s participation in sport to the periphery, female cricketers persevered. —Priya Oberoi, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

So do the men in Shula’s family, who keep to the periphery of the film but still manage to exert their will (an extension of the pall that Uncle Fred manages to cast over this story from the afterlife). —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2025

There’s a pleasing trilogy symmetry in Haugerud’s focus for the first time here exclusively on female desire, with men relegated to the periphery. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 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