First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1margin
noun mar·gin \ˈmär-jən\
: the part of a page that is above, below, or to the side of the printed part
: the place where something (such as a piece of land) stops : the edge of something
: an extra amount of something (such as time or space) that can be used if it is needed
Full Definition of MARGIN
1
: the part of a page or sheet outside the main body of printed or written matter
2
: the outside limit and adjoining surface of something : edge <at the margin of the woods> <continental margin>
3
a : a spare amount or measure or degree allowed or given for contingencies or special situations <left no margin for error> b (1) : a bare minimum below which or an extreme limit beyond which something becomes impossible or is no longer desirable <on the margin of good taste> (2) : the limit below which economic activity cannot be continued under normal conditions c : an area, state, or condition excluded from or existing outside the mainstream <the margins of critical discourse — Barbara L. Packer> <living in society's margins>
4
a : the difference which exists between net sales and the cost of merchandise sold and from which expenses are usually met or profit derived b : the excess market value of collateral over the face of a loan c (1) : cash or collateral that is deposited by a client with a commodity or securities broker to protect the broker from loss on a contract (2) : the client's equity in securities bought with the aid of credit obtained specifically (as from a broker) for that purpose d : a range about a specified figure within which a purchase is to be made
5
: measure or degree of difference <the bill passed by a one-vote margin>
— mar·gined \-jənd\ adjective
See margin defined for English-language learners
See margin defined for kids
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Origin of MARGIN
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin margin-, margo border — more at mark
Related to MARGIN
Other Printing Terms
2margin
verb
Definition of MARGIN
transitive verb
1
a : to provide with an edging or border b : to form a margin to : border
2
a : to add margin to <margin up an account> b (1) : to use as margin <margin bonds to buy stock> (2) : to provide margin for <margin a transaction> c : to buy (securities) on margin
First Known Use of MARGIN
1715
MARGIN Defined for Kids
margin
noun mar·gin \ˈmär-jən\
Definition of MARGIN for Kids
1
: the part of a page or sheet outside the main body of print or writing
2
: 1border 2 <We walked along the margins of the forest.>
3
: an extra amount (as of time or money) allowed for use if needed <We have a margin of five minutes before the bus leaves.>
4
: a measurement of difference <They lost by a small margin.>
Medical Dictionary
margin
noun mar·gin \ˈmär-jən\
Medical Definition of MARGIN
1
: the outside limit or edge of something (as a bodily part or a wound)
2
: the part of consciousness at a particular moment that is felt only vaguely and dimly
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