peripheral
relating 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. relating to a device or unit that is separate from but connected to a computer, network host, etc.
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
1Other 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
Circe is a peripheral character in many myths, including the story of the Minotaur and the tragedy of Medea.
This small, handy device allows you to plug additional peripherals into your TV, while also providing a quick, easy way to switch between gaming consoles, media players, and internet streaming devices.
Connect all your entertainment and gaming gear with HDMI switchers | PopSci Commerce Team | January 25, 2021 | Popular-ScienceIf your set-up doesn’t have many peripherals and you only want to add one or two ports to your TV, many budget-priced devices work well.
Connect all your entertainment and gaming gear with HDMI switchers | PopSci Commerce Team | January 25, 2021 | Popular-ScienceCylindrical tend to be cheaper in price, but does not allow for the best peripheral vision.
Best ski goggles: What to look for in a pair you’ll love | Eric Alt | January 20, 2021 | Popular-ScienceShadow lets you install games from whatever services you already use, including Steam, and works with your peripherals, like controllers.
No PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X? Here's How to Get Your Next-Gen Gaming Fix at Any Budget | Patrick Lucas Austin | December 7, 2020 | Time
The play of Sunday, the play of being angels in the choir, is not just a peripheral secondary marginal realm of activity.
Because his new novel, The peripheral, is his most dire yet.
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, Oct 20-26, 2014 | William Boot | October 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThen I saw something in my peripheral vision, close to my back.
Every few weeks I get so far behind on sleep that I lose my peripheral vision.
They were a small and peripheral player, and now they want to be a main player—if not the main player.
When well stained, a delicate hyaline peripheral zone can be distinguished.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddQuinin causes them rapidly to disappear from the peripheral blood, and few or none may be found after its administration.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddIn general, the central parts of continents are likely to receive much less rainfall than their peripheral portions.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate ShalerNearly all central impulses, we now know, arise because of the peripheral ones.
Voice Production in Singing and Speaking | Wesley MillsThe last-named bowl, which has a greater peripheral speed than the others, is hollow and can be heated either by steam or gas.
British Dictionary definitions for peripheral
/ (pəˈrɪfərəl) /
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 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
[ pə-rĭf′ər-əl ]
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.
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
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.
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