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

Her arms skimmed the periphery of her torso, as if protecting her chest, and her legs in the grand battements lacked conviction. —Literary Hub, 7 May 2026

Kathy Hilton has been on the periphery of reality TV for more than two decades. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 May 2026

Acer Gaming Monitor Deal The 1,500R curve of the Acer Nitro wraps around your periphery, pulling you into your favorite worlds and pushing the real-world clutter out of sight. —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 May 2026

Joshua appeared as surprised as any of us, craning around as if the words had been blurted by someone on the periphery. —Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 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