perimeter

American  

[puh-rim-i-ter] / pəˈrɪm ɪ tər /

noun

1. a line bounding or marking off an area.

   The police created a perimeter with caution tape around the crime scene.

2. the outermost limits.

   Under the new regulations, the smoke-free area for playgrounds and sports areas extends 20 meters from the perimeter of each site.

3. Geometry.

   1. the border or outer boundary of a two-dimensional figure.

   2. the length of such a boundary.

4. Military. a fortified boundary that protects a troop position.

5. Ophthalmology. an instrument for determining the peripheral field of vision.

6. Basketball. Often the perimeter

   1. Also called three-point line.  a semicircular line on a basketball court surrounding the basket, outside of which field goals are worth three points rather than two.

   2. the area outside this line (often used attributively).

      There's no player in the NBA who puts more pressure on opposing defenses from the perimeter than him.

      The team needs an efficient point guard with a great perimeter shot.

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perimeter British  

/ ˌpɛrɪˈmɛtrɪk, pəˈrɪmɪtə /

noun

1. maths

   1. the curve or line enclosing a plane area

   2. the length of this curve or line

2. 1. any boundary around something, such as a field

   2. ( as modifier )

      a perimeter fence

      a perimeter patrol

3. a medical instrument for measuring the limits of the field of vision

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perimeter Scientific  

/ pə-rĭm′ĭ-tər /

1. The sum of the lengths of the segments that form the sides of a polygon.

2. The total length of any closed curve, such as the circumference of a circle.

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Other Word Forms

• perimeterless adjective
• perimetral adjective
• perimetric adjective
• perimetrical adjective
• perimetrically adverb
• perimetry noun

Etymology

Origin of perimeter

First recorded in 1585–95; from French périmètre, from Latin perimetros (feminine), from Greek perímetron (neuter); equivalent to peri- + -meter

Example Sentences

Known as a three-point threat at Washington State, she needs to be guarded on the perimeter but also not be left to connect to other open players.

From Los Angeles Times

It would require combat troops to secure perimeters, engineers with excavating equipment to search through debris and check for mines and booby traps, and special-operations forces with expertise in handling nuclear material.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Her ability to switch out on guards and play on the perimeter and help us out is really, really big. And obviously offensively, she’s such a big offensive player.”

From Los Angeles Times

Stellantis tries to take the edge off for workers hoofing it from outer perimeter lots, shuttling them in from some locations.

From The Wall Street Journal

"However, officers were required to enforce... life-saving guidelines when crowds later exceeded authorised capacity and seemingly attempted to breach security perimeters into the Old City," they said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• boundary
• confines
• edge
• fringe
• periphery