volume
/ˈvɒljuːm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈvɑːljəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈväl-(ˌ)yüm -yəm/ (ame, mw)
volume — noun
- volumesingular
- volumesplural
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.
- 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.
用法筆記
Commonly paired with units of measurement such as litres, cubic metres, or gallons. This sense is often used in science, cooking, and construction contexts.
常見錯誤
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.
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.
用法筆記
Typically uncountable; often modified by adjectives such as 'large', 'huge', 'record', 'growing', or 'high' to indicate scale.
常見錯誤
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.
Devika always keeps the volume low when she listens to podcasts at work.
Lakan dropped his phone and now the volume buttons do not work.
- loudness
Focuses on the perceptual intensity of sound rather than the device setting.
- sound level
More technical; often used in audio engineering.
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
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.
Each volume of the poetry collection covers a different decade of the author's life.
用法筆記
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.
Ramón inherited a leather-bound volume of Shakespeare's plays.
Aoi spent the afternoon reading a thick volume of short stories.
用法筆記
More formal or literary than the everyday word 'book'. Often used to describe an old, valuable, or physically impressive book.
volume — verb
- volumepresent simple I / you / we / they
- volumes3rd person singular
- voluming-ing form
- volumedpast simple
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.
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.
用法筆記
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.
The roar of the crowd volumed as the winning goal was scored.
用法筆記
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
- volumepositive
- more volumecomparative
- most volumesuperlative
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.
The manufacturer relies on volume sales to keep its profit margins healthy.
- bulk
Used in similar commercial contexts, e.g. 'bulk order', 'bulk buying'.
- large-scale
Broader; not limited to quantities of physical goods.
用法筆記
Attributive only — used before a noun (e.g. 'volume sales', 'volume customer'). Cannot be used after a linking verb (*'The production is volume').