What does vol mean?
Vol is chiefly a shortened form of volume, used especially for books that belong to a set: “vol. 1” means the first volume, while “three vols” refers to three books or parts of a work. It is more compact than writing the full word and is common in publishing, cataloguing, and reference works. In a different, literary sense, vol is borrowed from French and means a flight of birds, as in a group of eagles or geese taking wing together. When spoken in the ordinary abbreviation sense, it is normally expanded as “volume.” The word therefore has a practical publishing function as well as a less common ornithological and literary use.
nounAn abbreviation of volume, especially a book or one part of a multi-volume work. By separate borrowing from French, vol can also mean a flight of birds.
- An abbreviation of volume, especially a book or one part of a multi-volume work.
- A flight of birds, especially in literary or specialist writing.
"The first installment appeared as vol. 1 of the new encyclopedia."
"The first volume of the encyclopedia appeared as vol. 1."
"A falconer watched a vol of birds lift into the evening sky."
When the abbreviated publishing sense is pluralized, vols is the regular plural; vol. may also be repeated for each book in a set.
"The three vols. were bound in matching covers."
Vol can be a compact label for a whole book, a whole volume of sound, or even a flock of birds taking flight.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vol
The publishing sense developed as an abbreviation of volume, which came into English from French volume and ultimately from Latin volumen, meaning a roll, scroll, or book. The separate bird-flight meaning comes through French vol, from voler, “to fly.” The two senses thus have distinct historical origins even though the modern spelling is identical.
Related word forms
How vol is actually used
In the publishing sense, vol. is normally written with a period and read as “volume.” The bird-flight sense comes from French and is much less common in everyday English.
Easily confused with vol
Vol is an abbreviated or French-derived form, while volume is the full English word and can refer to a book, capacity, sound level, or the amount of space occupied.