ream

[ reem ]

/ rim /

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See synonyms for: ream / reamed / reaming / reams on Thesaurus.com

noun

a standard quantity of paper, consisting of 20 quires or 500 sheets (formerly 480 sheets), or 516 sheets (printer's ream, or perfect ream ).

Usually reams. a large quantity: He has written reams of poetry.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ream

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English rem(e), from Middle French reime, rame, from Spanish rezma, from Arabic rizmah “bale”

Other definitions for ream (2 of 2)

ream²

[ reem ]

/ rim /

verb (used with object)

to enlarge to desired size (a previously bored hole) by means of a reamer.

to clear with a reamer; remove or press out by reaming.

to extract the juice from: to ream an orange.

Slang.

to scold or reprimand severely (usually followed by out).
to cheat; defraud.

Origin of ream

First recorded in 1805–15; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ream in a sentence

One of Parler’s selling points, extolled publicly by executives, was privacy — compared with the reams of data Twitter and Facebook collect on users.
Parler is offline, but violent posts scraped by hackers will haunt users|Rachel Lerman, Nitasha Tiku|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
In advance of the committee meetings, the FDA will electronically send the panel — called the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee — voluminous briefing packets with reams of safety and efficacy data.
Pfizer says its coronavirus vaccine is safe and 95% effective and that it will seek regulatory review within days|Carolyn Y. Johnson, Laurie McGinley|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Certainly, reams will be written in the coming months and years about why the work of opinion research turned out to be way more art than science when it came to this year’s balloting.
The Unexpected Benefits of Thinking for Yourself in an Age of Polling|by Stephen Engelberg|November 9, 2020|ProPublica
The horizontal shaft and gear wheel are taken out and the bearings reamed out for a 1/2-in.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various

After the pipe is cut this burr should be reamed out thoroughly.
Elements of Plumbing|Samuel Dibble
When Rebecca appeared above the cellar-way with a flagon that reamed to a beaded top, the keys were back on the wall.
Heralds of Empire|Agnes C. Laut
The hole for the scriber in the scriber clamp of a surface gage is reamed out to fit the rods used with inside micrometers.
Measuring Tools|Unknown
Every bolt about the engine is made to a gauge, and every hole drilled and reamed to a templet.
Illustrated Catalogue of Locomotives|M. Baird, et. al..

British Dictionary definitions for ream (1 of 2)

ream¹

/ (riːm) /

noun

a number of sheets of paper, formerly 480 sheets (short ream), now 500 sheets (long ream) or 516 sheets (printer's ream or perfect ream). One ream is equal to 20 quires

(often plural) informal a large quantity, esp of written matterhe wrote reams

Word Origin for ream

C14: from Old French raime, from Spanish rezma, from Arabic rizmah bale

British Dictionary definitions for ream (2 of 2)

ream²

/ (riːm) /

verb (tr)

to enlarge (a hole) by use of a reamer

US to extract (juice) from (a citrus fruit) using a reamer

Word Origin for ream

C19: perhaps from C14 remen to open up, from Old English rӯman to widen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ream

Origin of ream

Other definitions for ream (2 of 2)

Origin of ream

Words related to ream

How to use ream in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ream (1 of 2)

Word Origin for ream

British Dictionary definitions for ream (2 of 2)

Word Origin for ream