volume
volume — noun
1. The total three-dimensional space that any solid object, container, or material
The total three-dimensional space that any solid object, container, or material takes up or can contain.
Chidi calculated the volume of the fish tank before buying any fish.
collocation: calculate the volume of [object]
To find the volume of a cube, multiply its length by its width by its height.
grammar pattern: to find the volume of [shape], [instruction]
When water freezes, its volume increases by about nine percent.
The volume of the storage container was printed clearly on the side.
A loudspeaker of that size moves a much larger volume of air.
collocation: volume of air / volume of water / volume of gas
- calculate the volume of
- volume of a container
- volume of a gas
- total volume
- cubic volume
- capacity
Focuses on how much a container can hold, whereas 'volume' is a more general measurement of space.
- cubic capacity
More technical; used for engines and machinery.
- size
Less precise; 'size' can refer to dimensions in any number of dimensions.
Usage Note
Commonly paired with units of measurement such as litres, cubic metres, or gallons. This sense is often used in science, cooking, and construction contexts.
Common Mistakes
2. The overall quantity or count of something, such as goods, data, people, or work
The overall quantity or count of something, such as goods, data, people, or work.
Naoko was shocked by the huge volume of email waiting for her after the holiday.
collocation: huge volume of / large volume of / growing volume of
The volume of traffic on the highway doubles during summer holidays.
Our charity saw a record volume of donations last December.
collocation: record volume of [donations / sales / orders]
A large volume of data is collected by the weather station every hour.
The factory had to increase its production volume to meet rising demand.
- large volume of
- high volume of
- volume of traffic
- volume of sales
- production volume
- volume of work
Usage Note
Typically uncountable; often modified by adjectives such as 'large', 'huge', 'record', 'growing', or 'high' to indicate scale.
Common Mistakes
3. How loud or quiet a sound is, or the control on a device such as a radio or tele
How loud or quiet a sound is, or the control on a device such as a radio or television that allows a user to adjust this.
Christopher turned down the volume on the TV so his baby sister could sleep.
verb collocation: turn up / turn down the volume
Could you please check the volume before the presentation starts?
The music at the outdoor concert was played at full volume.
prepositional phrase: at full volume
Devika always keeps the volume low when she listens to podcasts at work.
collocation: keep the volume low / keep the volume down
Lakan dropped his phone and now the volume buttons do not work.
- turn up the volume
- turn down the volume
- volume control
- at full volume
- volume button
- adjust the volume
- loudness
Focuses on the perceptual intensity of sound rather than the device setting.
- sound level
More technical; often used in audio engineering.
Usage Note
Usually refers to an electronic device's audio output. Common verbs are 'turn up', 'turn down', 'adjust', 'lower', and 'raise'. The control is often called a 'volume knob' or 'volume button'.
Common Mistakes
4. A single book that belongs to a collection of related books, such as an encyclop
A single book that belongs to a collection of related books, such as an encyclopedia, a series of novels, or a complete set of a magazine.
The encyclopedia set has twenty volumes arranged by subject.
Nora borrowed the second volume of the manga series from the library.
collocation: the [first / second / third] volume of [series name]
The library keeps every volume of the journal since the year 1950.
Asher found Volume Three of the history series at a second-hand book fair.
capitalization pattern: Volume + number
Each volume of the poetry collection covers a different decade of the author's life.
- first volume
- volume number
- a series of volumes
- volume of a journal
Usage Note
Often written with a number, as in 'Volume 3' or 'Vol. III'. The word may be capitalised when referring to a specific numbered part of a known set.
5. A printed work that is bound together, with pages held between two covers, espec
A printed work that is bound together, with pages held between two covers, especially when considered as a physical object.
Nora placed the old volume carefully back on the shelf.
This small volume contains all of the poet's early works.
The library keeps a rare volume from the early eighteenth century.
collocation: rare volume / leather-bound volume / ancient volume
Ramón inherited a leather-bound volume of Shakespeare's plays.
collocation: leather-bound volume
Aoi spent the afternoon reading a thick volume of short stories.
- rare volume
- bound volume
- leather-bound volume
- old volume
Usage Note
More formal or literary than the everyday word 'book'. Often used to describe an old, valuable, or physically impressive book.
speak volumes
idiomTo express or reveal a great deal about something or someone through actions, signs, or appearance, without using words.
The way Emre hugged his mother after the match spoke volumes about their close relationship.
Her silence on the matter spoke volumes to everyone in the meeting room.
This expression means that something gives a lot of information without using words.
Maya's messy room speaks volumes about her busy schedule.
Does his donation speak volumes for his generosity?
volume — verb
1. To release or distribute something in large quantities, such as products, shipme
To release or distribute something in large quantities, such as products, shipments, or publications.
Each quarterly report is volumed to shareholders before the start of the fiscal period.
passive: is volumed to [recipient]
Emergency supplies were volumed to relief centres across three provinces during the flood crisis.
A new batch of safety manuals is volumed to each factory site quarterly.
passive: is volumed to [recipient]
Medical equipment was volumed to field hospitals within days of the earthquake.
- dispatch
Standard modern word for sending goods out.
- distribute
Broader and more common.
Usage Note
Very rare in modern English; used mainly in historical or technical descriptions of bulk distribution. The passive form ('was volumed to', 'were volumed to') is somewhat more common than active use, though even that is extremely rare.
2. To move or rise upward in a rolling or swelling motion, used of smoke, fog, or s
To move or rise upward in a rolling or swelling motion, used of smoke, fog, or sound.
Thick smoke volumed from the chimney into the cold evening air.
smoke context: smoke rising in a rolling swell
The organ's deep notes volumed through the cathedral as the service began.
sound context: musical notes swelling in volume
Fog volumed across the harbor, hiding the boats from view.
fog context: fog rolling and spreading across an area
The roar of the crowd volumed as the winning goal was scored.
sound context: crowd noise rising in volume
Usage Note
This verb sense is literary and rare; it is used of smoke, fog, or sound rising in a swelling motion. The modern equivalent would be 'rose in volume' or 'swelled'.
volume — adjective
1. Relating to or involving large quantities of something, especially in the contex
Relating to or involving large quantities of something, especially in the context of production, buying, or selling.
The company specializes in volume production of electronic components.
collocation: volume production
The supplier offered a volume discount for orders over one thousand units.
collocation: volume discount
Volume buying allows the supermarket chain to keep prices very low.
collocation: volume buying / volume purchasing
The manufacturer relies on volume sales to keep its profit margins healthy.
- volume production
- volume discount
- volume sales
- volume buying
- volume customer
- bulk
Used in similar commercial contexts, e.g. 'bulk order', 'bulk buying'.
- large-scale
Broader; not limited to quantities of physical goods.
Usage Note
Attributive only — used before a noun (e.g. 'volume sales', 'volume customer'). Cannot be used after a linking verb (*'The production is volume').
Common Mistakes
Common collocations
Phrases
- volume of
Prepositions
- in volume
- by volume