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

• 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

But time moves quickly in football and Grealish found himself at the periphery of Pep Guardiola’s plans last term, starting just seven Premier League games. —Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

The areas considered at risk are mostly on the city's periphery where building density is lower and structures are closer to plots of flammable grasslands, pastures and other types of wildlands. —Ella McCarthy, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

As a result, those on the periphery were always running but never catching up. —Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025

Performers dressed as formal library pages in white shirts and black ties emerged from the periphery to dance along. —Brian Schaefer july 7, Literary Hub, 7 July 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