Perimeter

Origin

Middle English perimetre, from Latin perimetros, from Greek, from periaround + metron measure

• 15th Century

Definitions

• 1a : the boundary of a closed plane figure

b : the length of a perimeter

• 2: a line or strip bounding or protecting an area
• 3: outer limits —often used in plural
• 4: the part of a basketball court outside the three-point line

Description

A perimeter is a path that surrounds an area. The word comes from the Greek peri (around) and meter (measure). The term may be used either for the path or its length - it can be thought of as the length of the outline of a shape. The perimeter of a circular area is called its circumference.

Calculating the perimeter has considerable practical applications. The perimeter can be used to calculate the length of fence required to surround a yard or garden. The perimeter of a wheel (its circumference) describes how far it will roll in one revolution. Similarly, the amount of string wound around a spool is related to the spool's perimeter.[1]