Vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data were measured for ternary system water + ethanol + 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([bmim][OAc]), in a relatively wide range of ionic liquid (IL) mass fractions up to 0.8. Six sets of complete T-x-y data were obtained, in which the mole fraction of ethanol on IL-free basis was fixed separately at 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and approximate 0.98. The non-random-two-liquid (NRTL) and electrolyte non-random-two-liquid (eNRTL) equations were used for correlation, showing similar deviations. The ternary VLE was also modeled with the correlation from two data sets, with the mole fractions of ethanol on IL-free basis being 0.1 and approximate 0.98. The VLE data were also reproduced satisfactorily. With the eNRTL model, the root-mean-square deviation for temperature is 0.79 K and that for vapor-phase mole fraction is 0.0094. The calculations are in good agreement with experimental data. The effect of the IL on the VLE behavior of the volatile components is also illustrated.