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perimeter

[ puh-rim-i-ter ]
/ pəˈrɪm ɪ tər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR perimeter ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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Origin of perimeter

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

OTHER WORDS FROM perimeter

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perimeter

parameter, perimeter
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to perimeter

boundary, edge, periphery, confines, fringe, ambit, brim, borderline, skirt, circuit, limit, verge, compass, hem, margin, brink, outline, bounds

British Dictionary definitions for perimeter

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 of perimeter

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

Medical definitions for perimeter

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.

Scientific definitions for perimeter

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.