Dictionary.com

peripheral

[ puh-rif-er-uhl ]
/ pəˈrɪf ər əl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR peripheral

adjective Also peripheric (for defs. 1-3).

pertaining to, situated in, or constituting the periphery: peripheral resistance on the outskirts of the battle area.
concerned with relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of the subject in question.
Anatomy. near the surface or outside of; external.
Computers. of or relating to a peripheral.

noun

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

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.
Question 1 of 9
You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?
To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.
To stew in a sauce for a long time.
To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of peripheral

First recorded in 1800–10; 1965–70 for def. 4; from Greek peripher(ḗs) (see periphery) + -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM peripheral

pe·riph·er·al·ly, adverbun·pe·riph·er·al, adjectiveun·pe·riph·er·al·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to peripheral

incidental, tangential, borderline, inessential, surface, external, exterior, minor, secondary, beside the point, irrelevant, outer, outermost, superficial, unimportant, perimetric

Example sentences from the Web for peripheral

British Dictionary definitions for peripheral

peripheral
/ (pəˈrɪfərəl) /

adjective

not relating to the most important part of something; incidental, minor, or superficial
of, relating to, or of the nature of a periphery
anatomy of, relating to, or situated near the surface of the bodya peripheral nerve

Derived forms of peripheral

peripherally, adverb
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 peripheral

peripheral
[ pə-rĭf′ər-əl ]

adj.

Related to, located in, or constituting an outer boundary or periphery.
Perceived or perceiving near the outer edges of the retina.
Of or relating to the surface or outer part of a body or organ; external.
Of, relating to, or being part of the peripheral nervous system.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for peripheral

peripheral
[ pə-rĭf′ər-əl ]

Adjective

Anatomy Relating to or being the surface or outer part of a body or organ.
Relating to or being part of the peripheral nervous system.

Noun

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for peripheral

peripheral

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

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.