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

White says flatly the relative new affordability will expose his sport to a huge number of newly interested fans among Paramount+’s 77.7 million subscribers, fans who were on the periphery or priced out before. —Greg Cote august 12, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025

On China’s periphery, regulation and enforcement is weaker, and coal producers often lobby local governments to keep regulations lax. —Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Rose bushes and other vegetation remain on the garden's periphery. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2025

Built in 1970, the City Operations Building, or COB, is on the western periphery of the city of San Diego’s downtown Civic Center compound. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 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