perimeter
a line bounding or marking off an area: The police created a perimeter with caution tape around the crime scene.
the outermost limits: Under the new regulations, the smoke-free area for playgrounds and sports areas extends 20 meters from the perimeter of each site.
Geometry.
the border or outer boundary of a two-dimensional figure.
the length of such a boundary.
Military. a fortified boundary that protects a troop position.
Ophthalmology. an instrument for determining the peripheral field of vision.
Often the perimeter .Basketball.
Also called three-point line . a semicircular line on a basketball court surrounding the basket, outside of which field goals are worth three points rather than two.: See also three-pointer.
the area outside this line (often used attributively): There's no player in the NBA who puts more pressure on opposing defenses from the perimeter than him.The team needs an efficient point guard with a great perimeter shot.
Origin of perimeter
1Other words from perimeter
- pe·rim·e·ter·less, adjective
- pe·rim·e·tral, per·i·met·ric [per-uh-me-trik], /ˌpɛr əˈmɛ trɪk/, per·i·met·ri·cal, adjective
- per·i·met·ri·cal·ly, adverb
- pe·rim·e·try, noun
Words that may be confused with perimeter
- parameter, perimeter
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for perimeter
/ (pəˈrɪmɪtə) /
maths
the curve or line enclosing a plane area
the length of this curve or line
any boundary around something, such as a field
(as modifier): a perimeter fence; a perimeter patrol
a medical instrument for measuring the limits of the field of vision
Origin of perimeter
1Derived forms of perimeter
- perimetric (ˌpɛrɪˈmɛtrɪk) or perimetrical, adjective
- perimetrically, adverb
- perimetry, noun
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
Scientific definitions for perimeter
[ pə-rĭm′ĭ-tər ]
The sum of the lengths of the segments that form the sides of a polygon.
The total length of any closed curve, such as the circumference of a circle.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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