perimeter

[puh-rim-i-ter] /pəˈrɪm ɪ tər/
noun
1.
the border or outer boundary of a two-dimensional figure.
2.
the length of such a boundary.
3.
a line bounding or marking off an area.
4.
the outermost limits.
5.
Military. a fortified boundary that protects a troop position.
6.
Ophthalmology. an instrument for determining the peripheral field of vision.
Origin
1585-95; < French périmètre < Latin perimetros (feminine) < Greek perímetron (neuter). See peri-, -meter
Related forms
perimeterless, adjective
perimetral, perimetric
[per-uh-me-trik] /ˌpɛr əˈmɛ trɪk/ (Show IPA), perimetrical, adjective
perimetrically, adverb
perimetry, noun
Can be confused
parameter, perimeter.
Examples from the web for perimeter
  • Not only has each subsequent president refused to build a solid obstacle, along the perimeter of our national border.
  • Much of this work involved quelling rebellions on the perimeter and keeping the ever-agitating senatorial class under control.
  • The damage could have been even worse: guards stopped the vehicle outside a perimeter fence.
  • Armed only with handmade bow and arrow they were a stealth deterent to anyone attempting to breach the perimeter of the base.
  • Plant low-growing, drought-tolerant groundcovers on the perimeter of your property.
  • Security perimeters need to be widened.
  • Backlight bleeds through screen perimeter on darker images.
  • Use the jackhammer to break into the floor around the perimeter of layout.
  • Plant three or four violas toward the perimeter of the pot.
  • Compare the perimeter of the polygons to the radius of the circle.
British Dictionary definitions for perimeter

perimeter

/pəˈrɪmɪtə/
noun
1.
(maths)
  1. the curve or line enclosing a plane area
  2. the length of this curve or line
2.
  1. any boundary around something, such as a field
  2. (as modifier): a perimeter fence, a perimeter patrol
3.
a medical instrument for measuring the limits of the field of vision
Derived Forms
perimetric (ˌpɛrɪˈmɛtrɪk), perimetrical, adjective
perimetrically, adverb
perimetry, noun
Word Origin
C16: from French périmètre, from Latin perimetros; see peri-, -meter
Word Origin and History for perimeter
n.

early 15c., "line around a figure or surface," from Latin perimetros, from Greek perimetron "circumference," from peri- "around" (see peri-) + metron "measure" (see meter (n.2)). Military sense of "boundary of a defended position" is attested from 1943.

perimeter in Medicine

perimeter pe·rim·e·ter (pə-rĭm'ĭ-tər)
n.

  1. The outer limits of an area; circumference.

  2. An instrument used to measure field of vision.

perimeter in Science
perimeter
  (pə-rĭm'ĭ-tər)   

  1. The sum of the lengths of the segments that form the sides of a polygon.

  2. The total length of any closed curve, such as the circumference of a circle.