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 Designed by Zuccon International Project, the yacht includes four guest cabins, a full-beam owner’s suite, expansive glazing, and a mezzanine-style helm station that frees additional interior volume for social spaces. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 22 June 2026 Robinhood, for its part, shared World Cup prediction market activity by citing contract volume. Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 22 June 2026 It has also been published in four graphic novel volumes by Penguin Random House and Webtoon Unscrolled. John Hopewell, Variety, 22 June 2026 Consistency across rooms, not volume in one, is what makes a signature scent feel intentional. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for volume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volume
Noun
  • So far this year, 17 tons of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized in the Pacific region – more than three times the total across the whole of last year, according to the Australian Federal Police.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said 300 rescuers and paramedics, along with 50 tons of equipment, medicines and essential supplies, were ready to depart for Caracas.
    Will Clark, NBC news, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • There are various theories, but there's a certain amount of this kind of behavior that definitely bears watching.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • What about a legal right for AIs to freely access the public internet (the right to information); or a legal right for AIs to interact with other AIs (the right to associate); or a legal right to some minimum amount of computing power (the right to necessary resources)?
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Author Robert Wright joins The Excerpt to talk about his new book.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • But a copy of the Orlando Sentinel’s 150th anniversary book with 150 front pages from our 150 years.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Demand for powerful chips has become essentially infinite thanks to the AI boom—yet the global supply of chips remains capped by how many EUV lithography machines one company can crank out, and by how much fab capacity one other company has available.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
  • The renovation will reduce capacity from 51,913 to approximately 50,000.
    Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Lithium batteries often maintain more consistent performance throughout their charge cycle, a trait that may be noticeable when tackling hills or carrying heavier loads.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • This leads to higher fungal loads.
    Ana V. Longo, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • The traditional approach, stocking warehouses with large quantities of pre-sized boxes, hasoften led to inefficiencies.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • That led to the creation of Scrumpt, a bakery centered on quality over quantity and Southern nostalgia.
    Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Her novel Forgotten On Sunday (Europa, 2024) won the Booksellers Choice Award in France and the paperback edition has been a long-selling best-seller since publication.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2026
  • Indeed, when people began to travel by train in the 19th century, publishers began selling romance and thriller paperbacks across London’s railway stations.
    Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • The city has opened two dozen splash pads and eight cooling shelters across the city.
    Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • An early-stage plan for roughly 280 apartments, including affordable units, and more than a dozen retail shops was recently unveiled in documents filed with the city, which were obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
    Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 2 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Volume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volume. Accessed 3 Jul. 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