/ ˈmɑːdʒɪn; NAmE ˈmɑːrdʒən/ noun [ C ]
1.
the empty space at the side of a written or printed page :
the left-hand / right-hand margin
a narrow / wide margin
notes scribbled in the margin
2.
[ usually sing. ] the amount of time, or number of votes, etc. by which sb wins sth :
He won by a narrow margin .
She beat the other runners by a margin of ten seconds.
3.
( business ) = profit margin :
What are your average operating margins?
a gross margin of 45%
4.
[ usually sing. ] an extra amount of sth such as time, space, money, etc. that you include in order to make sure that sth is successful :
a safety margin
The narrow gateway left me little margin for error as I reversed the car.
—see also margin of error
5.
( formal ) the extreme edge or limit of a place :
the eastern margin of the Indian Ocean
6.
[ usually pl. ] the part that is not included in the main part of a group or situation
SYN fringe :
people living on the margins of society
7.
( AustralE , NZE ) an amount that is added to a basic wage, paid for special skill or responsibility
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin margo , margin- edge.