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

• border
• borderline
• bound
• boundary
• brim
• circumference
• compass
• confines
• edge
• edging
• end
• frame
• fringe
• hem
• margin
• perimeter
• rim
• skirt
• skirting
• verge

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

Constrained by societal conventions that historically relegated women’s participation in sport to the periphery, female cricketers persevered. —Priya Oberoi, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

Baker cuts to conflicted close-ups of Igor, underscoring his pangs of conscience on the periphery of the plot. —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

Paul Mescal is handed the unenviable task of having to live up to Crowe’s larger-than-life Maximus, while Pedro Pascal kind of hangs out superfluously on the periphery. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025

All around Eurasia’s vibrant, vital periphery, revisionist states are on the move. —Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 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