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

Saxophonist Josh Johnson, bassist Anna Butterss and drummer Jay Bellerose paint in pastels around the periphery of this stoically beautiful riff. —Dave Segal, SPIN, 15 May 2026

But in between the Frances and the Cape Verdes of the world sit the in-between class — nations on the periphery of contention, but a hard path to reach a breakthrough World Cup moment. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 May 2026

Managing that tension will remain the defining test for its periphery diplomacy. —Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026

Giants president Buster Posey understood the value that catcher Patrick Bailey created through framing pitches on the periphery of the strike zone. —Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 10 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