As a professor of finance, it is essential to understand the concept of trading volume. This refers to the total number of shares that are bought or sold in a particular transaction. It is a crucial indicator of market activity and liquidity, as higher trading volume usually suggests a higher level of interest and participation from investors. In simpler terms, it is the amount of activity in a particular stock or security, making it an important metric to consider when analyzing market trends and making investment decisions. So, always pay attention to trading volume when evaluating the performance of a stock or security.