Definition of ream
1 : a quantity of paper being 20 quires or variously 480, 500, or 516 sheets
2 : a great amount —usually used in plural reams of information
Explore M-W
Recent Examples of ream from the Web
-
With the advent of deep-learning algorithms, such rules are increasingly based on patterns extracted from reams of data.
-
But even now, after investigators sifted through reams of records and countless interviews, there is an unresolved mystery at the dark heart of the crime: Why Versace?
-
Similarly, body camera companies provide discounted, or free, body cameras but require police departments to use their services to store the reams of video collected by officers.
-
Reams of data have shown that in recent decades the rich have been taking ever-larger shares of wealth and income-especially in the U.S., where corporate profits are nearing records while wages for the workforce remain stagnant.
-
The deal, initially announced in December 2015, has faced delays as antitrust regulators sought reams of information concerning the companies’ competing businesses in insecticides, weed killers and crop seeds.
-
One could do little but support one's jaw as Aimard rattled off reams of wildly chromatic, fiendishly difficult music average pianists hesitate even to approach.
-
For the top pick overall in the June 12 draft, the Twins likely are gathering reams data on Hunter Greene and Brendan McKay, widely considered the two top prospects.
-
Krukow doesn’t need to assemble reams of anecdotes or obscure statistics to fill time during the broadcast.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ream.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of ream
Middle English reme, from Anglo-French, ultimately from Arabic rizma, literally, bundle
Other Paper Terms
ream
Definition of ream
transitive verb
1a : to widen the opening of (a hole) : countersinkb (1) : to enlarge, shape, or smooth out (a hole) with a reamer (2) : to enlarge the bore of (something, such as a gun) in this wayc : to remove by reaming
2a : to press out with a reamerb : to press out the juice of (a fruit, such as an orange) with a reamer
4 : reprimand —often used with out reams out his players so severely — Alexander Wolff
Examples of ream in a Sentence
He got reamed in the press for his comments.
reamed a whole new generation of suckers with a variation of the Ponzi scheme
Origin and Etymology of ream
perhaps from Middle English *remen to open up, from Old English rēman; akin to Old English rȳman to open up, rūm space — more at room
REAM Defined for English Language Learners
ream
playDefinition of ream for English Language Learners
-
: an amount of paper that equals 480, 500, or 516 sheets
-
reams : a large amount of writing
ream
Definition of ream for English Language Learners
-
: to criticize (someone) in an angry way
REAM Defined for Kids
ream
playDefinition of ream for Students
1 : a quantity of paper that may equal 480, 500, or 516 sheets
2 reams plural : a great amount I took reams of notes in class.
Learn More about ream
-
See words that rhyme with ream Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ream Spanish Central: Translation of ream Nglish: Translation of ream for Spanish speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up ream? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!