margin Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
perimeter; border.
noun an amount beyond the minimum necessary
- the margin of victory
noun the amount of collateral a customer deposits with a broker when borrowing from the broker to buy securities
security deposit.
noun (finance) the net sales minus the cost of goods and services sold
gross profit; gross profit margin.
noun the blank space that surrounds the text on a page
- he jotted a note in the margin
noun a permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits
tolerance; leeway; allowance.

OE. margine, margent, L. margo, ginis. Cf. March a border, Marge.

A border; edge; brink; verge; as, the margin of a river or lake.
Specifically: The part of a page at the edge left uncovered in writing or printing.
(Com.) The difference between the cost and the selling price of an article.
Something allowed, or reserved, for that which can not be foreseen or known with certainty.
(Brokerage) Collateral security deposited with a broker to secure him from loss on contracts entered into by him on behalf of his principial, as in the speculative buying and selling of stocks, wheat, etc. N. Biddle. Syn. -- Border; brink; verge; brim; rim.

imperfect & past participle Margined ; present participle & verbal noun Marginging