Meaning & use
outside perimeter
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Meanings
nouncountable
The outer boundary or edge of an area, especially one that is guarded or protected.
Grammar: Used with 'the' or a possessive: 'the outside perimeter of the base.' It can also be plural: 'outside perimeters.'
Patterns
- the outside perimeter of something
- secure the outside perimeter
- patrol the outside perimeter
Security guards walk along the outside perimeter of the building every hour.
The soldiers set up lights around the outside perimeter of the camp.
A fence marks the outside perimeter of the school grounds.
nouncountabletechnical
The total length or distance around the outer edge of a shape or area.
Grammar: Often used in math contexts with 'of': 'the outside perimeter of the rectangle.'
Patterns
- the outside perimeter of a shape
- calculate the outside perimeter
- measure the outside perimeter
To find the outside perimeter of the garden, add up the lengths of all four sides.
The outside perimeter of the pool is thirty meters.
We measured the outside perimeter of the field for the new track.
Word forms
| plural | outside perimeters |
|---|
Common combinations
- secure the outside perimeter
- The team was ordered to secure the outside perimeter before nightfall.
- patrol the outside perimeter
- Guards patrol the outside perimeter in pairs.
- along the outside perimeter
- They planted trees along the outside perimeter of the property.
- the outside perimeter of the building
- Cameras cover the outside perimeter of the building.
Synonyms and how they differ
- outer boundary
- Similar, but 'outer boundary' is more general and can refer to any edge, not just a guarded one.
- periphery
- Means the outer edge or area, often in a more abstract sense; 'outside perimeter' is more physical and precise.
Opposites
Word family
- perimeter noun
- The boundary or length around an area; used alone or with 'outside' for emphasis.
Commonly confused: outside perimeter or parameter?
outside perimeter vs parameter
A 'parameter' is a limit or factor, not a physical boundary. 'Outside perimeter' refers to a physical edge, while 'parameter' is often used in math or rules.
Practice
The guards were told to check the ______ of the camp for any holes in the fence.
Choose one answer.
'Outside perimeter' means the outer boundary, which fits checking for holes in a fence. 'Outside parameter' is wrong because 'parameter' means a limit or factor, not a physical edge. 'Inside perimeter' would be the inner boundary, not the outer fence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “outside perimeter”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.