Definition of volumenext
1
2
as in amount
a given or particular mass or aggregate of matter produces great volumes of work each day

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in capacity
the largest number or amount that something can hold state the barrel's volume in terms of gallons

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word volume different from other nouns like it?

The words bulk and mass are common synonyms of volume. While all three words mean "the aggregate that forms a body or unit," volume applies to an aggregate without shape or outline and capable of flowing or fluctuating.

a tremendous volume of water

When can bulk be used instead of volume?

The meanings of bulk and volume largely overlap; however, bulk implies an aggregate that is impressively large, heavy, or numerous.

the darkened bulk of the skyscrapers

When might mass be a better fit than volume?

The words mass and volume are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mass suggests an aggregate made by piling together things of the same kind.

a mass of boulders

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of volume Multiply either number by 300 loads per year and the volume is substantial. Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026 Scientists estimate that since the early 20th century, the Central Valley has lost more groundwater than the total volume of Lake Tahoe. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 If your main goal is getting another day out of your hair without sacrificing volume, this dry shampoo is worth a look. Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Tool adoption and prompt volume aren’t the same as business impact. Matt Waxman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for volume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volume
Noun
  • The rehearsals were intense, with a ton of new choreography and a crash course in how movies are made, since every single one of us in the cast was making our major-film debut.
    Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
  • This time, a half-dozen states are going before Super Tuesday and some of them have tons of delegates.
    Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The amount of business done between Premier League clubs quickly emerged as the defining theme of this summer’s transfer window.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Maui could receive 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts approaching 8 inches.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In addition to Jim Murray’s anthology, here are some other sports books that have inspired Wickersham.
    Aaron Reiss, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In late July, HRW released a book-length report documenting the crimes committed in the first four months of the conflict.
    Aryeh Neier, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Talent flight across many ASEAN economies prevents them from developing the technocratic capacity needed for advanced technology and energy sectors.
    Brian Wong, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The festival, with a capacity of 80,000 people, also was hit with mud and rain in 2023 as many attendees were trapped on its grounds, where vehicle traffic was temporarily limited and some hiked in the mud to nearby towns.
    Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The size and specialized nature of these loads can also create opportunities for carriers to take on new customers and routes.
    Kevin Williams, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Faster speeds generally mean a compromise in quality, multi-color 3D printers often waste some filament, and higher volume loads usually demand more hardware.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Consumers should also be aware that fermentation naturally produces a small quantity of alcohol, with levels potentially less predictable in homemade kefir.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Large quantities of gold have been smuggled out of the country to finance the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, who control gold-producing areas in Darfur and Kordofan regions, according to experts commissioned by the United Nations.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Adult hardcovers will be $1, paperbacks are two for $1, and youth books are four for $1.
    Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In Conversation Books by Adam Johnson, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Sarah Moss, and more are arriving in paperback this September.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In my ideal world there would be dozens of essay collections by excellent writers (Choi is a poet) on culture and politics, technology and the evils of capitalism.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The president has promised dozens more trips in the coming weeks.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Volume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volume. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on volume

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster