periphery

noun

pe·riph·ery pə-ˈri-f(ə-)rē

plural peripheries

Synonyms of periphery

: the perimeter of a circle or other closed curve

also : the perimeter of a polygon

: the external boundary or surface of a body

: the outward bounds of something as distinguished from its internal regions or center : confines

: an area lying beyond the strict limits of a thing

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Raw inputs are extracted from the periphery, refined and assembled in the metropole, and sold back at a markup. — Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026 If students have nerves about speaking on school grounds, those on the peripheries of campus don’t face the same dilemma. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026 Some predominantly Muslim neighborhoods on the city's peripheries, with narrow and steep mazelike streets, have high crime rates. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for periphery

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of periphery was circa 1568

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Periphery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periphery. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

periphery

noun

pe·riph·ery pə-ˈrif-(ə-)rē

plural peripheries

: the boundary or surface of a body or figure

: the outer or outermost part

Medical Definition

periphery

noun

pe·riph·ery pə-ˈrif-(ə-)rē

plural peripheries

: the outward bounds of something as distinguished from its internal regions or center

: the regions (as the sense organs, the muscles, or the viscera) in which nerves terminate

periphery

noun

Synonyms of periphery

Examples of periphery in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes