ream
verb
reamed; reaming; reams
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
4
: reprimand
—often used with out
… reams out his players so severely …—
Alexander Wolff
Alexander WolffExamples 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
Recent Examples on the Web
Immediately after a snappish and off-putting TV interview, Porter showed up in a years-old video profanely reaming a staff member for — the humanity!
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Because that movie was both a failure in the box office and it got reamed by critics.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025
Morticia reams Thing out for failing to be loyal to her and Gomez; Thing is tired of being treated like a servant.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ream
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Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Because that movie was both a failure in the box office and it got reamed by critics.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025
Morticia reams Thing out for failing to be loyal to her and Gomez; Thing is tired of being treated like a servant.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ream
Cite this Entry
“Ream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ream. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ream
1 of 2 noun
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
Middle English reme "a quantity of paper," from early French reme (same meaning), from Arabic rizma, literally, "bundle"
probably from Old English rēman "to open up"
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