peripherally

American  

[puh-rif-er-uh-lee] / pəˈrɪf ər ə li /

adverb

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Computers.

   1. 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.

   2. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• unperipherally adverb

Etymology

Origin of peripherally

First recorded in 1800–10; 2000–05 peripherally for def. 4; peripheral ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

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

Creation of the organization and its seeding with $2 million in pocket change was a notable departure for the industry which, up to then, had only fleetingly and peripherally been involved in campaigns and elections.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2025

Fight or flight is about not being able to see anything peripherally.

From Salon • May 29, 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