edge effect

noun

: 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 The bright glow is an edge effect from a roof used to block the sun, around which the colorful corona appeared. Stephen James O’Meara, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2021 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 examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'edge effect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of edge effect was in 1933

Dictionary Entries Near edge effect

Cite this Entry

“Edge effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edge%20effect. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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