definitions

perimeter

[ puh-rim-i-ter ]
/ pəˈrɪm ɪ tər /

noun

the border or outer boundary of a two-dimensional figure.
the length of such a boundary.
a line bounding or marking off an area.
the outermost limits.
Military. a fortified boundary that protects a troop position.
Ophthalmology. an instrument for determining the peripheral field of vision.

Nearby words

perilymphatic, perilymphatic duct, perilymphatic space, perimeningitis, perimenopause, perimeter, perimetric, perimetritis, perimetrium, perimetry, perimorph

Origin of perimeter

1585–95; < French périmètre < Latin perimetros (feminine) < Greek perímetron (neuter). See peri-, -meter

Related forms

pe·rim·e·ter·less, adjectivepe·rim·e·tral, per·i·met·ric [per-uh-me-trik] /ˌpɛr əˈmɛ trɪk/, per·i·met·ri·cal, adjectiveper·i·met·ri·cal·ly, adverbpe·rim·e·try, noun

Can be confused

parameter perimeter
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for perimetral

perimeter

/ (pəˈrɪmɪtə) /

noun

maths
  1. the curve or line enclosing a plane area
  2. the length of this curve or line
  1. any boundary around something, such as a field
  2. (as modifier)a perimeter fence; a perimeter patrol
a medical instrument for measuring the limits of the field of vision

Derived Forms

perimetric (ˌpɛrɪˈmɛtrɪk) or perimetrical, adjectiveperimetrically, adverbperimetry, noun

Word Origin for perimeter

C16: from French périmètre, from Latin perimetros; see peri-, -meter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for perimetral

perimeter

[ pə-rĭm′ĭ-tər ]

n.

The outer limits of an area; circumference.
An instrument used to measure field of vision.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for perimetral

perimeter

[ pə-rĭm′ĭ-tər ]

The sum of the lengths of the segments that form the sides of a polygon.
The total length of any closed curve, such as the circumference of a circle.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.