peripherally
Americanadverb
-
in a way that relates to or is close to the edge or boundary.
These small, peripherally located urban communities are almost like rural ones.
-
in a way that concerns relatively minor, superficial, or indirectly related aspects of a subject or situation.
Industries that rely even peripherally on steel will also be affected by the tariff.
Some of the nurses wrote a lot about their healthcare experiences, while others mentioned the topic infrequently or only peripherally.
-
Anatomy. near the surface, edge, or exterior of the body structure in question.
The primary lung lesion was located peripherally in 18 patients and centrally in 8 patients.
-
Computers.
-
in a way that is separate from a computer’s CPU but in communication with it, as a webcam, flash drive, or keyboard.
In this section we discuss input and output devices that are used peripherally with the computer.
-
in a way that is separate from a network’s host computer but in communication with it, as a shared input terminal, printer, or backup drive in a workplace.
Resources offered by the new networking system will be used more intensively on any peripherally connected computer or router.
-
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of peripherally
First recorded in 1800–10; 2000–05 peripherally for def. 4; peripheral ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Individuals even peripherally connected to demonstrations are in custody.
From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2025
Even when scoundrels are convicted, as Milton was, the prominent people who were in their orbit, if only peripherally, keep their reputations and wealth mostly intact.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2025
Then, peripherally to her right, she saw an orange flash.
From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2024
I knew him peripherally but had never questioned him before.
From Salon ● Feb. 9, 2024
It only peripherally hit him then that without thinking he’d recognized the direction and the time.
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
