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edge effect

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Definition of edge effect

: the effect of an abrupt transition between two quite different adjoining ecological communities on the numbers and kinds of organisms in the marginal habitat

Examples of edge effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web My current lipstick look as of late has been that hazy dreamy, blurred-edge effect. — Sable Yong, Allure, 18 May 2018 Conservationists do already think about edge effects, says Haddad, but typically on the scale of tens of meters—not hundreds. — Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'edge effect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of edge effect

1933, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for edge effect

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The first known use of edge effect was in 1933

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Dictionary Entries Near edge effect

edged

edge effect

edge-grain

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Cite this Entry

“Edge effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edge%20effect. Accessed 16 Aug. 2022.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about edge effect

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