Meaning & Definition of word "Margin"

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.