Refers to the edge or border of a natural or man-made area, such as a river, woods, or road. Often used as a suffix (e.g., 川へり, 道へり). The suffix form may be voiced to べり.
I took a walk along the edge of the river.
edging; fabric border
Specifically the fabric border or edging of tatami mats, cushions, or similar items. A specialized sense within the broader 'edge' meaning.
I parked the car on the shoulder of the road.
The rim of the cup is chipped.
I turned up the brim of the hat.
Walk without stepping on the edging of the tatami mats.
縁 describes the rim or border of a surface (like a table or cliff), while 際 emphasizes the narrow zone right at the boundary.
Usually written in kana; the kanji 縁 is also used but less common for this reading.
Kanji form; can also be read ふち or えん, so context is needed.
The historical derivation is uncertain. The kanji 縁 is conventionally associated with edges and borders, but the word itself is native Japanese.