Perimeter
/pəˈrɪmɪtər/noun
The continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometric figure or area.
Did you know?Perimeter comes from Greek roots meaning “around” + “measure,” and its cousin family includes words tied to measuring, surveying, and even the ancient science of geometry.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
perimetros
“measuring around; the boundary line around a shape”
Late Latin
Latin
perimetron
“the boundary or circuit of a figure”
14th–15th Century
Middle French
perimetre
“the line enclosing a figure”
16th Century
English
perimeter
“the boundary line of a shape or enclosed area”
Modern English
English
perimeter
“the outer boundary of an area or object”
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