margin margin /ˈmɑːrdʒən/

noun

1. () The boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary  ( perimeter , border , margin )
   the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
     The river formed a natural border between the two countries, separating them geographically.
   The river formed a natural border between the two countries, separating them geographically.
   
2. () An amount beyond the minimum necessary  ( margin )
   an amount beyond the minimum necessary
    The margin of victory
   the margin of victory
   
3. A permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits  ( leeway , margin , tolerance , allowance )
   a permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits
   
4. The blank space that surrounds the text on a page  ( margin )
   the blank space that surrounds the text on a page
    He jotted a note in the margin
   he jotted a note in the margin
   
   
5. (finance) the net sales minus the cost of goods and services sold  ( gross profit , gross profit margin , margin )
   (finance) the net sales minus the cost of goods and services sold
   
6. The amount of collateral a customer deposits with a broker when borrowing from the broker to buy securities  ( margin , security deposit )
   the amount of collateral a customer deposits with a broker when borrowing from the broker to buy securities