n. 1. Mathematics a. A closed line bounding a plane area. b. The length of such a line. 2. The outer limits of an area. See Synonyms at circumference. 3. A defended boundary protecting a military position. 4. Basketball The three-point line. [Middle English perimetre, from Latin perimetros, from Greek : peri-, peri- + metron, measure; see METER2.] per′i·metric (pĕr′ə-mĕtrĭk), per′i·metri·cal (-rĭ-kəl) adj. per′i·metri·cal·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.