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

The kombucha is 8 percent alcohol by volume with a mango and lime flavor profile. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024

The plum is 50 alcohol by volume, the others weigh in at 40 A.B.V. Blacklisted Brandy, $59.99 unaged, $69.99 aged, 750 milliliters, blacklistedbrandy.com. —Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024

Stroh 160 Rum Proof: 160 (80% alcohol by volume) Made in Austria, this spiced rum has been using the same secret recipe since 1832. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2023

This whiskey is more than two-thirds alcohol by volume, which is one spicy, boozy meatball. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2024

That’s not necessary with wine, which is about 14% alcohol by volume (ABV), or beer, which is usually about 5-7%. —TIME, 27 Dec. 2023

The drinks are made with premium spirits and natural botanicals, and all are under 110 calories per serving and range from 10.5 to 11.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). —Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2023

While there’s no official definition, low-proof alcohols are typically identified as having less than 20 to 25% alcohol by volume (ABV). —Christina Manian, Rdn, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2023

The kit makes eight to 12 drinks and has an alcohol by volume level of 18 to 20%. —Christin Perry, Parents, 16 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above