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

Although wildfires scorch, storms rage and earthquakes shake all around the periphery of the film’s plot, these two lonely, early-middle-aged souls can’t stop their feelings despite clear impediments to true love like — oops! —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025

Roy, however, examines the fiction and letters Woolf composed when he was stationed in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) as a colonial magistrate at the outer periphery of the British empire. —Jenny Noyce, JSTOR Daily, 14 May 2025

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis spoke with clarity about the essentials of faith, mercy, joy, human dignity, and the urgency of going out to the peripheries. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025

On top of the aforementioned list of states, there are also a number of them percolating on the periphery as multiple Senate Republicans look at possible gubernatorial runs, headlined by Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). —Al Weaver, The Hill, 20 Apr. 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