margin call

noun

plural margin calls

: a demand made to an investor by a broker or brokerage firm for more funds or securities to be added to a margin account when the equity in the account falls below a certain threshold

In other words, a margin call is a demand that you increase the equity in your margin account to sufficient levels through one or more transactions.

—Kevin L. Matthews II

… the nation's largest discount-brokerage house, said Thursday it expects to take a $22 million charge against fourth-quarter earnings because of the failure of several customers to satisfy recent margin calls.

—Paul Farhi

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above