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

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.

Examples of beers that might benefit from aging include some stouts, and beers with higher ABV (alcohol by volume) that are made with dark malts. —

Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2024 Campari is also significantly stronger, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 24% to 28%, depending on the country where it’s sold. —

Emily Price, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 Zero proof beverages are generally drinks that have an ABV (alcohol by volume) of less than 0.5%. —

Rachel King, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 In order to be considered nonalcoholic, these drinks have to contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. —

Brenda Goodman, CNN, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for alcohol by volume

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of alcohol by volume was in 1839

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Alcohol by volume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcohol%20by%20volume. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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