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

Since Flipping Out was canceled in 2018, Jeff Lewis has stayed on the periphery of the Bravosphere, mostly hosting his hour on Radio Andy and saying unkind things about Bravolebs who still had shows. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

The stealth lead of Jay Kelly is Sandler, who blooms on the periphery here. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025

Their debut album, Forever, sounds like temporarily regressing to your childhood self while tripping—a kind of gleaming innocence desperately fending off the darkness of adulthood lurking at the periphery. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025

As much as the Dodgers pushed talk of a repeat into the periphery, the weight of expectations during the regular season made another champagne celebration in October look even further away. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 3 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