What does alcohol by volume mean on liquor bottles?

The term "Alcohol By Volume" (ABV) is a measurement used to indicate the percentage of pure alcohol (ethanol) in an alcoholic beverage. It represents the amount of ethyl alcohol present in 100 milliliters of the beverage.

For instance, if a liquor bottle states that it contains 40% ABV, it means that 40 milliliters of pure ethanol are present in 100 milliliters of the liquor. This measurement helps consumers understand the strength or potency of alcoholic beverages.