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

By 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

Examples of alcohol by volume in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples of beers that might benefit from aging include some stouts, and beers with higher ABV (alcohol by volume) that are made with dark malts. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 20 June 2026

Spirit aperitifs are attractive for a number of reasons, including the popularity of lower alcohol by volume (ABV) drinks as a result of generations drinking less than ever before as well as escapism drinking trends. — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Note that vodka is typically around 40 percent ABV (alcohol by volume), while rubbing alcohol is about 70 percent—so vodka may not be as effective in some uses, but can be a helpful as a backup solution. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026

The light lager is available in cans at 3% alcohol by volume. — Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alcohol by volume

• multivolume