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

One of the joys of learning a minor language is falling in love with the periphery. —Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026

In truth, both were fortunate to peak in the years when football was, more than ever, based around the patient possession play epitomised by the Barcelona and Spain sides of that era, although in a sense, both felt slightly on the periphery of things. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2026

Something always seems to be lurking in the periphery, glinting off the edges of mirrors, flickering across those black wings offstage. —Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

Data privacy is now at the core of business strategy, national security, and digital trust, rather than on the periphery of IT and legal departments. —Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 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