alcohol by volume
noun
: a measure of the concentration of alcohol in an alcoholic beverage
Last year, lawmakers passed a bill to allow those stores to start selling stronger beer, with up to 6 percent alcohol by volume, starting April 1, 2019.—
Peter Hancock
Peter HancockBy law bourbon must be distilled at no higher than 160 proof (out of a potential 190; proof is double the percentage of alcohol by volume), but most bourbon makers distill at between 125 and 145.—Corby Kummer
—abbreviation ABV
Corby KummerExamples of alcohol by volume in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Unlike alcohol's standardized ABV (alcohol by volume) THC potency varies widely which makes dosing unpredictable.
—Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2025
Milam & Greene is looking to disrupt the modern American whiskey market in a way that craft producers rarely attempt: by intentionally creating a quality whiskey bottled at the legal minimum 40% alcohol by volume, or 80 proof.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Simply place your bottle of vodka, rum, tequila—any spirit with more than 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 80 proof—in the freezer.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Alcoholic beverages must be below 20% alcohol by volume and no glass containers are allowed.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcohol by volume
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Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2025
Milam & Greene is looking to disrupt the modern American whiskey market in a way that craft producers rarely attempt: by intentionally creating a quality whiskey bottled at the legal minimum 40% alcohol by volume, or 80 proof.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Simply place your bottle of vodka, rum, tequila—any spirit with more than 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 80 proof—in the freezer.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
Alcoholic beverages must be below 20% alcohol by volume and no glass containers are allowed.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alcohol by volume
Cite this Entry
“Alcohol by volume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcohol%20by%20volume. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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