edge effect

noun

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

Recent Examples of edge effect from the Web

My current lipstick look as of late has been that hazy dreamy, blurred-edge effect.

— sable yong, Allure, "Why the 'Blurred Lip Stain' Trend Is My Favorite Way to Wear Lipstick," 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, "Forest Animals Are Living on the Edge," 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.