Meaning & Definition of word "Margin"

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    Margin

    /ˈmɑːrdʒɪn/

    noun:

    • 1. The edge or border of something.
      • Example: Please leave a margin of one inch on all sides of your paper.
    • 2. The difference between the cost and the selling price of a product.
      • Example: The profit margin on this item is ten percent.
    • 3. A spare amount or degree; a buffer.
      • Example: We completed the project with a small margin of time to spare before the deadline.
    • 4. An amount by which something is won or lost.
      • Example: The election was decided by a narrow margin.
    • 5. A space around printed or written material.
      • Example: She made notes in the margins of the book.

    verb:

    • 1. To place something in the margin or to provide a margin for something.
      • Example: He decided to margin the notes he made during the lecture.

    Etymology

    Middle English, from Latin 'marginalis', from 'margo' meaning 'edge' or 'border'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    profit margin:

    The difference between the cost of goods sold and the sales price.

    safety margin:

    An amount or degree of reserve that provides security against loss.

    margin of error:

    The amount of inaccuracy allowed in a measurement or calculation.

    Related Words

    marginal:

    Related to or situated at the edge or margin.

    marginalize:

    To treat (a person, group, or concept) as insignificant or peripheral.

    Slang Meanings of margin

    Meaning: A safe distance or buffer.

    Example Sentence: I like to keep a margin when I drive, just in case.

    Meaning: Extra time or resources.

    Example Sentence: I finished my project with a margin to spare.