MARGIN OF ERROR Definition & Meaning

margin of error

[ mahr-jin uhv er-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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 mar·gin for er·ror. 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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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of margin of error¹

First recorded in 1855–60

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The margin of error may be imprecise; however, the survey’s estimated margin of error for Los Angeles County voters is 2 percentage points, and higher for subgroups.

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The survey’s estimated margin of error is 2 percentage points, and larger for demographic subgroups.

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The margin of error may be imprecise; however, the survey’s estimated margin of error for L.A.

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Public opinion of Trump's handling of the economy as a whole is within the margin of error on the survey, with 51% approving.

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“It just shows that the margin of error is so small in these extreme weather events.”

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