noun
edge, border
B1
Rand (der Rand) means edge or border—physical (table edge) or figurative (margins of society). Plural is Ränder (with Umlaut). Article masculine. Common phrase 'am Rand (von…)'. Declension shows plural dative 'den Rändern'. Not irregular beyond the Umlaut plural change. Notable.
Examples
Er saß am Rand des Sees.
He sat at the edge of the lake.
Bitte schreiben Sie Ihren Namen an den oberen Rand des Blattes.
Please write your name at the top edge of the sheet.
Am Rand der Seite steht eine Notiz.
There's a note in the margin of the page.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture the edge of a table or page with a dark line — that's the Rand.
Think 'rand' like 'rim' in English (short, sharp sound).
der -> imagine a ruler (masculine) measuring the edge: 'der Rand'
Notes
Rand commonly refers to an edge, rim, or margin. Genitive singular often appears as 'des Randes' in formal registers, though 'des Rands' is also seen.