peripheral

[ puh-rif-er-uhl ]
See synonyms for: peripheralperipherals on Thesaurus.com

adjectiveAlso peripheric (for defs. 1-3).
  1. relating to, situated in, or constituting the periphery: peripheral resistance on the outskirts of the battle area.

  2. concerned with relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of the subject in question.

  1. Anatomy. near the surface or outside of; external.

  2. Computers. relating to a device or unit that is separate from but connected to a computer, network host, etc.

noun
  1. Computers.

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

    • a device or unit that is separate from a network’s host computer but in communication with it, such as a shared input terminal, printer, or backup drive.

Origin of peripheral

1
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, adverb
  • un·pe·riph·er·al, adjective

Words Nearby peripheral

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use peripheral in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for peripheral

peripheral

/ (pəˈrɪfərəl) /


adjective
  1. not relating to the most important part of something; incidental, minor, or superficial

  2. of, relating to, or of the nature of a periphery

  1. anatomy of, relating to, or situated near the surface of the body: a 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

Scientific definitions for peripheral

peripheral

[ pə-rĭfər-əl ]


Adjective
  1. Anatomy Relating to or being the surface or outer part of a body or organ.

  2. Relating to or being part of the peripheral nervous system.

Noun
  1. 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.