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

And Sharaa’s attempts to extend government control over the rest of Syria have alienated minorities on the country’s periphery. —Sam Heller, Time, 23 Sep. 2025

One thing’s for sure, while there may be a range of motivations for the Fed and its periphery to focus on the dual instead of the triple mandate, no one wants to see the third item dropped from the agenda. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025

Taiwan sees the projects as evidence that its animation sector is ready to move from the industry’s periphery to its center. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025

Infantry, tanks, artillery advancing toward inner city Israeli army spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said Israeli forces had been operating in the periphery of Gaza City for several weeks but since the night of Monday to Tuesday large numbers of troops had begun moving towards the inner city. —Reuters, NBC news, 19 Sep. 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