noun
periphery
puh-RIHF-uh-ree
noun
1
The outer edge, boundary, or fringe of something.
"New housing developments sprang up on the periphery of the city."
"He stayed on the periphery of the argument, staying quiet."
How to Use Periphery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe outer edge or fringe of an area, group, or topic — as opposed to its center or core.
Common pairings
on the periphery
periphery of society
Word Forms
peripheries plural
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New housing developments sprang up on the _____ of the city.
Etymology
Via Middle French periphérie, from Greek peripherēs ("carried around").