peripheral

American  

[puh-rif-er-uhl] / pəˈrɪf ər əl /

adjective

1. relating to, situated in, or constituting the periphery.

   peripheral resistance on the outskirts of the battle area.

2. concerned with relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of the subject in question.

3. Anatomy. near the surface or outside of; external.

4. Computers. relating to a device or unit that is separate from but connected to a computer, network host, etc.

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noun

1. Computers.

   1. a device or unit that operates separately from the CPU but is connected to it, such as a mouse, printer, speakers, etc.

   2. a device or unit that is separate from a network’s host computer but in communication with it, such as a shared input terminal, printer, or backup drive.

peripheral British  

/ pəˈrɪfərəl /

adjective

1. not relating to the most important part of something; incidental, minor, or superficial

2. of, relating to, or of the nature of a periphery

3. anatomy of, relating to, or situated near the surface of the body

   a peripheral nerve

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peripheral Scientific  

/ pə-rĭf′ər-əl /

1. Anatomy Relating to or being the surface or outer part of a body or organ.

2. Relating to or being part of the peripheral nervous system.

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1. Computer Science An auxiliary device, such as a printer or modem, distinct from a computer's central processing unit and working memory, and often connected externally.

peripheral Cultural  

1. Any part that is separate from a computer's CPU, such as a printer, a keyboard, or a monitor.

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Other Word Forms

• peripherally adverb
• unperipheral adjective

Etymology

Origin of peripheral

First recorded in 1800–10; 1965–70 peripheral for def. 4; from Greek peripher(ḗs) ( periphery ( def. ) ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Immediately after the fire took his home, Moore needed to work, but he no longer possessed the peripherals and equipment he required to record.

From Los Angeles Times

At the facility she was denied access to medications for high blood pressure, asthma, peripheral arterial disease, general anxiety and hypothyroidism, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

They also collected peripheral blood samples and performed MRI brain scans to examine changes in brain structure and biology.

From Science Daily

Yet for too long those of their midcentury contemporary William Inge have remained peripheral in the American theatrical pantheon.

From The Wall Street Journal

The departure of Ange Postecoglou and arrival of Thomas Frank as manager has meant Johnson has played a more peripheral role this season.

From BBC

Related Words

• incidental
• tangential