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

After spending so much of the year on the periphery, Anthony Volpe suddenly found himself at the center of the biggest moment in the Yankees’ season. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

To their credit, the city planners, developers and architects were looking to revitalize a portion of Chicago’s center during a period when much architectural energy was devoted to sites on the periphery of American cities. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

After spending over a decade pushing pop forward from its periphery, Charli xcx seized the zeitgeist in 2024 with Brat. — Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

The figures are pushed to the periphery, while the empty center creates a sense of absence. — Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 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