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

Notre Dame and to as lesser extent, LSU, are on the periphery. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026

If any periphery parts are snipped out in releases outside of China, these somewhat more contentious health alerts are likely to be among them. —Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

An array of familiar comedy faces clog up the film’s periphery, including Colin Jost as Conor, the town’s seemingly only other stay-at-home dad, and Kumail Nanjiani as Peyton, a competing Toyota salesman. —Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 27 May 2026

That’s because economic disruption has moved from the periphery of our economy to its center. —Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 26 May 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