periphery

[ puh-rif-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural pe·riph·er·ies.

1. the external boundary of any surface or area.

   Synonyms: perimeter, circumference

   Antonyms: center

2. the external surface of a body.

   Antonyms: center

3. the edge or outskirts, as of a city or urban area.
4. the relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of the subject in question:

   The preliminary research did not, of course, take me beyond the periphery of my problem.

5. Anatomy. the area in which nerves end.

periphery

/ pəˈrɪfərɪ /

noun

1. the outermost boundary of an area
2. the outside surface of something
3. anatomy the surface or outermost part of the body or one of its organs or parts

Word History and Origins

Origin of periphery¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Late Latin peripherīa, from Greek periphéreia “circumference,” literally, “a bearing round,” from peri- peri- + phér(ein) “to bear” + -eia -y ³; replacing Middle English periferie, from Medieval Latin periferīa, variant spelling of Late Latin peripherīa

Word History and Origins

Origin of periphery¹

C16: from Late Latin peripherīa, from Greek, from peri- + pherein to bear

Example Sentences

The much-hyped new recruit, playing his first union game since his schooldays, had been on the periphery of the action in the opening stages, but left Ollie Sleightholme groping at air before flipping a pass over the top of Henry Slade for Tom Wright to slide in.

From BBC

Some on the town's periphery have few facilities inside or out, with just old swings in the playground.

From BBC

In Israel, more than 75,000 people fled homes on Gaza’s periphery.

From Los Angeles Times

The trips are shoring up Israel’s tourism industry after the war brought it to an abrupt halt—but critics say the narrow focus on this tragedy pushes the suffering of Gazans to the periphery, even as bombs drop less than 10 miles away from the tourists.

From Slate

Israeli bulldozers have destroyed many shops in the city centre, although those on the periphery were still open.

From BBC

Related Words

• brink
• fringe
• perimeter
• rim
• verge