The volume of the liquid stationary phase or the active solid in the column. The volume of any solid support is not included. In the case of partition chromatography with a liquid stationary phase, it is identical to the liquid phase volume.
Source:
PAC, 1993, 65, 819. 'Nomenclature for chromatography (IUPAC Recommendations 1993)' on page 833 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199365040819)