rimworld n.

a planet orbiting a star near the edge of a galaxy, typically regarded as being isolated from mainstream galactic culture

SF Encyclopedia


  • 1955 J. White Star Walk in New Worlds Science Fiction (#33) Mar. 40 page image James White bibliography

    If they hadn’t insisted on a certain surplus of fuel and credits being available at all times, C-ships would have become marooned on out-of-the-way colonies and their service would have collapsed. Out here on the impoverished Rim worlds, they were hated like poison. But it wasn’t like that in the Centre.

  • 1957 R. A. Heinlein Citizen of Galaxy in Astounding Science Fiction Nov. 125/2 page image Robert A. Heinlein bibliography

    Hydra was cruising above speed-of-light toward the Rim world Ultima Thule, where she would refuel and start prowling for outlaws.

  • 1959 A. B. Chandler Run the Rim in Astounding Science Fiction Jan. 9/1 page image A. Bertram Chandler bibliography

    So this, he thought, is Lorn, industrial hub of the Rim Worlds. This is as far as I go. This is where I get off. There’s no farther to go.

  • 1962 M. Moorcock Sundered Worlds in Science Fiction Adventures (#29) Nov.–Dec. 7 Michael Moorcock bibliography

    Two years previously Renark had suddenly resigned from his position as Warden of the Rim Worlds.

  • 1965 J. Brunner Altar on Asconel iii. 20 John Brunner bibliography

    The Empire never embraced the whole of the galaxy, though people generally assume it did. It could be a Rim world, some distance from the hub.

  • 1977 C. Kapp Chaos Weapon in Vortex May 10/3 page image Colin Kapp bibliography

    That argument sounds convincing to us, but I doubt if it would cut much ice on a Rim world before the alien threat became a reality.

  • 1982 J. Yolen Dragon’s Blood xii Jane Yolen bibliography

    Betting syndicates developed, and starship crews on long rim-world voyages began to frequent the planets for illicit gambling.

  • 1999 E. Brown Hunting the Slarque in Interzone Mar. 8/2 page image Eric Brown bibliography

    The very sailship journey from the rim world of Tartarus to the Core planet of Million would have bankrupted him.

  • 2015 Starburst (#417) Oct. 103/1 page image

    The central plot revolves around a gathering of Imperial leaders (called Moffs) gathering on Akiva, a distant Outer Rim world.


Research requirements

antedating 1957

Earliest cite

Robert A. Heinlein, "Citizen of the Galaxy"

Research History
Treesong submitted a 1959 cite from Bertram Chandler.
Douglas Winston submitted a 1977 cite from Colin Kapp's "The Chaos Weapon".
Douglas Winston submitted a 1965 cite for the form "Rim world" from John Brunner's "The Altar on Asconel".
Douglas Winston submitted a cite from a 1984 reprint of Jane Yolen's 1982 "Dragon's Blood".
Dan Tilque suggested "Rimworld Legacy" by F.A Javor, and Douglas Winston submitted cites from the 1967 first printing.
Irene Grumman submitted a 1962 cite from Michael Moorcock's "The Sundered Worlds".
Fred Galvin submitted a cite for "Rim world" from a reprint of Robert A. Heinlein's "Citizen of the Galaxy": Mike Christie verified this in its original publication in Astounding Science Fiction, November 1957.

Last modified 2022-05-06 14:43:46
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.