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

Sensations in our periphery (light, motion, temperature) compete with those at the level of autonomic (heart rate, breath rate) and metabolic systems (hunger, thirst), and even ongoing emotional and psychological concerns (a recent embarrassment or relationship trouble). —Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025

Now there were some hundred and fifty, and they were chained up at the periphery, or out on the sea ice, their world reduced for much of the year to a five-foot radius. —Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

In Brazil, Funk Brasilero, a genre deriving from the favelas and peripheries of major cities, has been around for a decade or more now, but deserves to expand beyond the country. —Rosamaria Garces, Billboard, 24 Nov. 2025

Since Flipping Out was canceled in 2018, Jeff Lewis has stayed on the periphery of the Bravosphere, mostly hosting his hour on Radio Andy and saying unkind things about Bravolebs who still had shows. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 14 Nov. 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