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
Peter HancockBy 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
Corby KummerExamples of alcohol by volume in a Sentence
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Amid the surging popularity of non-alcoholic and low-ABV (alcohol by volume) beverages, oenophiles who’ve wanted to hop on the trend have run into a little problem: A lot of the wines haven’t been that good.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
The light lager is available in cans at 3% alcohol by volume.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
The drink is made with real vodka and is 11% alcohol by volume in a 12 ounce can.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The team will send samples to third-party labs for further testing, including an attempt to confirm the alcohol by volume, which is expected to be low.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
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Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2026
The light lager is available in cans at 3% alcohol by volume.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
The drink is made with real vodka and is 11% alcohol by volume in a 12 ounce can.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The team will send samples to third-party labs for further testing, including an attempt to confirm the alcohol by volume, which is expected to be low.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for alcohol by volume
Cite this Entry
“Alcohol by volume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcohol%20by%20volume. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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