margin of error

[ mahr-jin uhv er-er ]

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 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of margin of error¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

In Florida and Ohio, Obama maintains narrow, margin-of-error leads, but Romney is seen as better on the economy.

From The Daily Beast

“I came into the state as a margin-of-error candidate,” Huntsman said after the plant tour.

From The Daily Beast