margin of error
Americannoun
-
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.
-
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.
Etymology
Origin of margin of error
First recorded in 1855–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The margin of error is so tight that this race is completely up in the air.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
In this case, Smith had multiple IQ scores, ranging from 72 to 78, with a margin of error down to 69.
From Slate • May 23, 2026
Both results are well within the poll’s plus or minus 2.8% margin of error.
From Salon • May 20, 2026
The poll of 1,200 likely voters took place between May 14 and 16 and has a margin of error of 2.83% in either direction.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
“The margin of error would almost disappear if we didn’t have to rely so much on a Glitcher’s intuition. Which I hear you have a particular knack for, Cadet Fitz.”
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
