perimeter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "perimeter" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the word "perimeter" to refer to the boundary or line that surrounds an area. For example: "We need to measure the perimeter of the garden before we start planting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"If you're on the perimeter, you're more likely to be predated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The protesters on the security perimeter won't have access to the TPP text, or to the millions of dollars that companies are spending to lobby for Fast Tracking the global deal, but at least they'll have an intact sense of irony, which is more than I can say for our nation's president.

The Guardian

Visitors can walk or bike the perimeter, spotting but not disturbing the wildlife.

The Guardian - Travel

Up on the northwestern perimeter of London, in West Hendon, other council residents are fighting the borough of Barnet over the redevelopment of their estate on terms that suit the developer, Barratt Developments, not locals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whisky valued at £23,000 was stolen from the trailer of another lorry parked in a haulage yard, after a perimeter fence was cut.

The Guardian

Concentric metre-high banks with shallow ditches between mark the perimeter of a small hillfort.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Most of the white and black middle class barricade themselves behind increasing layers of security: bright lights; high perimeter-walls topped with electric fencing or razor wire; guard dogs; panic buttons and an alarm system linked to one of the many armed rapid-response security firms that promise to arrive within three minutes of a call.

The Economist

First, a road round the city's perimeter probably a series of Sea Link-style bridges along its entire west coast, and on its east coast a highway partly to be built on land occupied by the city's dying old port.

The Economist

Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI), in Waterloo, Ontario, which has just opened a snazzy, new wing named after Stephen Hawking, the world's most famous living physicist, offers all three.PI was set up in 1999 by Mike Lazaridis, founder and co-CEO of Research in Motion, the maker of the BlackBerry range of personal digital assistants.

The Economist

As Cliff Burgess of Perimeter Institute, a Canadian theoretical-physics centre, puts it, "The dark energy business very easily degenerates into something like a crowd of people who are each claiming to be Napoleon while asserting that all the other pretenders are clearly nutty".

The Economist

Many scientists are asking themselves, what next Neil Turok, who heads Ontario's Perimeter Institute (PI), one of the world's leading centres for theoretical physics, thinks that answers are coming.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing shapes, ensure you accurately measure and calculate the "perimeter" to provide precise dimensions.

Common error

Avoid using "area" and "perimeter" interchangeably. "Area" refers to the space enclosed within a shape, while "perimeter" is the total length of its boundary.

Linguistic Context

The word "perimeter" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the boundary or the total length of the boundary of a two-dimensional shape or an area. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it often appears in contexts describing physical spaces or security measures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "perimeter" is a noun denoting the outer boundary of a shape or area. As demonstrated by Ludwig's AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions to define and measure the extent of spaces or set protective boundaries. Appearing frequently in news, formal, and scientific contexts, its register is generally neutral to formal. Remember to avoid confusing "perimeter" with "area" and accurately calculate perimeters when describing shapes. This comprehensive guide provides insights into its usage, related phrases, and common errors, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circumference

Refers specifically to the boundary around a circle or similar shape.

boundary line

Focuses on the line that marks the edge of an area.

outer limits

Emphasizes the furthest extent of something.

confines

Implies a restriction or limitation to a particular area.

border area

Specifically denotes the region near a border.

surrounding area

Highlights the space around a central point or object.

edge

A simple term for the outer boundary.

bounds

Implies defined limits or boundaries.

outskirts

Refers to the outer regions of a town or city.

fringes

Suggests an area at the very edge or margin.

FAQs

How do you calculate the "perimeter" of a shape?

To find the "perimeter", you simply add up the lengths of all the sides of the shape. For a rectangle, it's 2*(length + width); for a circle, it's 2piradius.

What is the difference between "perimeter" and "area"?

The "perimeter" is the distance around a two-dimensional shape, while the "area" is the measure of the surface enclosed by the shape.

In what contexts is the term "perimeter" commonly used?

The term "perimeter" is often used in mathematics, construction, security (like a security "perimeter"), and geography to describe boundaries and measurements.

What can I say instead of "perimeter" when referring to a boundary?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "circumference", "boundary line", or "outer limits". The best choice depends on the specific situation.