margin
n. countablen. the empty space at the side of a page. It can also mean the difference between two amounts, like the number of votes between a winner and a loser.
n. the blank border on each side of the print on a page; additionally, the amount by which one thing differs from another, such as in a competition or financial calculation.
Please write your notes in the left margin.
The candidate won the local election by a narrow margin of only fifty votes.
The company managed to increase its profit margin by streamlining the manufacturing process and reducing waste across all departments.
From Middle English margyn, from Latin marginem (possibly via Old French margin), accusative of margō (“edge, brink, border, margin”). Doublet of marge and margo.
Often used with the preposition 'by' when referring to differences in scores or amounts.