periphery

American  

[puh-rif-uh-ree] / pəˈrɪf ə ri /

noun

plural

peripheries

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.

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periphery British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of periphery

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

Explanation

When something is on the periphery of your vision, you can only see it when you’re looking sideways. Periphery means outside the boundary of something. If you’re on the periphery of a group, you’re close to it but not part of it. A band on the periphery of a particular scene might have opened for another band a few times, but it's never headlined or gotten their big break. Periphery comes from a Greek word meaning "to carry around."

Example Sentences

Our next generation of ground- and air-launched extended-range standoff weapons will help cement our competitive advantage inside China’s—or any adversary’s—defensive periphery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

It signalled greater access to "the largest trading nation on Earth" for North Korea, Lim told AFP, while it was also important for China's "periphery diplomacy".

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Those on his periphery, such as Jake Connor, will potentially see their international route revived following this development.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

The band moves in the fertile periphery where sunshine pop meets dream rock, channeling the Police on the reggae vibe of “Universal Hit” and diving into Cocteau Twins ether on “La Vuelta.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

This time, she walked around the west-facing periphery of the clearing so she wouldn’t have to pass by Nana.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

Related Words

• brink
• fringe
• perimeter
• rim
• verge