# volume

/ˈvɑɫjum/ (US) · /vˈɒljuːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/volume
Updated: 2026-04-30

## Senses

### 1. physical space

noun · CEFR B1 · Academic

the amount of space that an object or substance fills.

For teachers: the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by an object or substance.

- The scientist measured the volume of water in the glass beaker.
- As the temperature of the gas increases, its volume expands unless the pressure is adjusted to compensate.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general concept of space; countable when referring to specific measurements.

### 2. loudness

noun · CEFR A2

how loud or quiet a sound is.

For teachers: the degree of loudness or the intensity of a sound.

- Could you please turn down the volume on the television?
- The speaker adjusted the volume to ensure that his voice reached the back of the auditorium without distorting the audio quality.

Usage: Usually uncountable; often used with 'turn up' or 'turn down'.

### 3. a book

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

one book, especially one that is part of a larger set of books.

For teachers: a single book, or one of a series of books that form a complete work.

- I found the second volume of the encyclopedia on the top shelf.
- The library houses a rare first volume of the historical series, bound in original leather and remarkably well-preserved.

Usage: Countable; frequently used in academic or archival contexts.

### 4. quantity

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a large amount or total number of something.

For teachers: the total amount or quantity of something, often in a commercial or industrial context.

- The shop handles a high volume of customers during the holiday season.
- The sudden increase in trading volume on the stock market suggested that investors were reacting to the new economic data.

Usage: Usually singular; often follows 'high', 'low', or 'large'.

### 5. storage area

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a specific area on a computer disk used for storing files.

For teachers: an identifiable area of data storage with a single file system.

- The computer warned me that the backup volume was almost full.
- The system administrator partitioned the hard drive into three separate volumes to better manage the server's data distribution.

Usage: Countable; refers to logical rather than physical storage units.

### 6. to show clearly

noun · CEFR B2

to show a lot about a person's feelings or a situation without using words.

For teachers: to convey a great deal of information or meaning through non-verbal cues.

- The look on her face spoke volumes about how disappointed she was.
- While the CEO remained silent during the press conference, his tense body language spoke volumes to the gathered reporters.

Usage: Almost exclusively used in the plural idiom 'speak volumes'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.