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
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Origin and Etymology of ream
Middle English reme, from Anglo-French, ultimately from Arabic rizma, literally, bundle
First Known Use: 14th century
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
First Known Use: 1815
REAM Defined for English Language Learners
ream
playDefinition of ream for English Language Learners
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: an amount of paper that equals 480, 500, or 516 sheets
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reams : a large amount of writing
ream
Definition of ream for English Language Learners
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: 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
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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
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