ream

1 of 2

noun

ˈrēm 

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

ream

2 of 2

verb

reamed; reaming; reams

transitive verb

1

a

: to widen the opening of (a hole) : countersink

b(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 way

c

: to remove by reaming

2

a

: to press out with a reamer

b

: to press out the juice of (a fruit, such as an orange) with a reamer

3

: cheat, victimize

4

: reprimand

—often used with out

reams out his players so severely

—Alexander Wolff

Synonyms

Noun

• loads
• ton
• dozen
• plenty
• slew
• pile
• bunch
• wealth
• chunk
• lot

Verb

• squeeze
• pluck
• cheat
• screw
• sting
• stick
• hustle
• beat
• bleed

Examples of ream in a Sentence

Noun

I have reams of paperwork to do before I can leave today

Verb

He got reamed in the press for his comments.

reamed a whole new generation of suckers with a variation of the Ponzi scheme

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Two legislative leaders, Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and their key staff members, oversaw reams of spending decisions while most lawmakers were back home in their districts, totally detached from it all. —Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025

McCardell’s personal archives include reams of letters from not just fans, the famous and customers. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 10 June 2025

Verb

But not before community members reamed the board for slashing jobs and reducing student services to dig the district out of a $3.9 million deficit. —Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

After Tina reams him out for not going to see baby Sophie yet, Carmy calls Sugar to apologize for being a bad unc. —Marah Eakin, Vulture, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English reme, from Anglo-French, ultimately from Arabic rizma, literally, bundle

Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ream

• beam
• bream
• cream
• creme
• deem
• dream
• gleam
• meme
• scheme
• scream
• seam
• seem

Kids Definition

ream

1 of 2 noun

ˈrēm 

1

: a quantity of paper that may equal 480, 500, or 516 sheets

2

: a great amount

—usually used in plural

reams of notes

ream

2 of 2 verb

: to shape, make larger, or smooth out with a reamer

Etymology

Noun

Middle English reme "a quantity of paper," from early French reme (same meaning), from Arabic rizma, literally, "bundle"

Verb

probably from Old English rēman "to open up"