DictionaryproofAlcoholic strength
noun

proof

Alcoholic strength expressed on a proof scale.

The label states that the whiskey is eighty proof.

Etymology

Proof originally concerned testing or demonstrating a quality. Alcohol proof developed from tests of a spirit's strength into a numerical scale expressing it.

More examples

  • They compared the proof of the two spirits.
  • The distiller checked the proof before bottling.
  • This batch has a lower proof than the last.

Forms

proof

Similar words

strength
The general degree of alcohol concentration, not a particular proof scale.