volume

1 of 3

noun

vol·ume ˈväl-(ˌ)yüm

-yəm

Synonyms of volume next

: the degree of loudness or the intensity of a sound

also : loudness

: the amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object as measured in cubic units (such as quarts or liters) : cubic capacity see Metric System Table, Weights and Measures Table

a(1)

: amount

also : bulk, mass

(2)

: a considerable quantity

: the amount of a substance occupying a particular volume

: mass or the representation of mass in art or architecture

: a series of printed sheets bound typically in book form : book

: a series of issues of a periodical

: album sense 1c

: scroll sense 1a

volumed

ˈväl-(ˌ)yümd

-yəmd

adjective

volume

2 of 3

verb

volumed; voluming

transitive verb

: to send or give out in volume

intransitive verb

: to roll or rise in volume

volume

3 of 3

adjective

: involving large quantities

volume sales

Choose the Right Synonym for volume

bulk, mass, volume mean the aggregate that forms a body or unit.

bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous.

the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers

mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind.

a mass of boulders

volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating.

a tremendous volume of water

Example Sentences

Noun The volume is too loud. Can you turn the volume up? playing music at full volume She fiddled with the volume on the stereo. a high volume of sales Huge volumes of park visitors come through every weekend. an increase in traffic volume The box has a volume of three cubic meters. We measure the items by weight, not by volume. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Amid a prolonged Crypto Winter, the cryptocurrency exchange reported a 50% decline in total trading volume compared with 2021. —

Ben Weiss, Fortune Crypto, 21 Mar. 2023 Banneker’s journals burned when his cottage was set on fire by vandals on the day of his funeral, with only one volume surviving. —

Maud Newton, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2023 Bonus: Deploy it as a styling product to pump up hair volume. —

Garrett Munce, Men's Health, 21 Mar. 2023 The slimmer and versatile brush head makes styling easier since users are able to get closer to their roots to achieve more volume in their blowouts. —

Clara Mcmahon, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2023 Sarnak’s lyrics are often drowned out in the production’s sound volume, frustrating those who expect the songs of a musical to advance the story. —

Charles Mcnulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2023 Research shows SuperAgers’ brains shrink at slower rates than their peers of the same age, specifically maintaining volume in areas associated with memory and focus. —

Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 18 Mar. 2023 Yet another involves showing up to shoots with a boombox around his neck and playing it at full volume until someone paid him to leave, a racket that supposedly earned him his nickname. —

Drew Schwartz, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023 The new volume Movements, Motions, Moments offers a visual accompaniment to the exhibition. —

Janelle Harris Dixon, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Mar. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'volume.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin volumen roll, scroll, from volvere to roll — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Verb

1815, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

circa 1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of volume was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Volume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volume. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

volume

noun

vol·ume

ˈväl-yəm,

-yüm

: book entry 1 sense 2a

: one of a series of books forming a complete work or collection

the fifth volume of an encyclopedia

: an amount of space as measured in cubic units

the volume of a container

: a large amount : mass

volumes of smoke

a volume of criticism poured in

: the degree of loudness of a sound

turn up the volume

Etymology

Noun

Middle English volume "a book, a scroll of papyrus," from early French (same meaning), from Latin volumen "roll, scroll," from volvere "to roll" — related to revolve