margin of error

American  

[mahr-jin uhv er-er] / ˈmɑr dʒɪn əv ˈɛr ər /

noun

1. Statistics. a deviation above or below a given statistic encompassing the range within which the true value is most likely to fall, equal to one-half the span of the confidence interval.

   The poll of likely voters has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

2. Also margin for error an amount of extra space, time, resources, etc., allowed to account for mistakes, miscalculations, or altered circumstances.

   The margin of error in the restaurant business is usually razor thin.

   There’s no margin for error with this new deadline, because you’re handing in final papers the day before grades are due.

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Etymology

Origin of margin of error

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

The actual discrepancy, Tinoco said, was 103 votes, a variance of 0.016% that was far below what he said was the state’s preferred 2% margin of error for certifying results.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

"So while the game is still on for all the English sides, the margin of error is tiny for some of them now."

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Morgan analysts said they are “more cautious” about silver, noting that the drivers of its continued push higher are harder to pinpoint and quantify, making the potential margin of error on its silver forecast higher.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

October’s data came with a 14.2% margin of error.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

“High tide won’t be until dark, so you won’t have much for landmarks, and GPS margin of error might not tell us we’re wrong until we’re dead on some old I-beam.”

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi