ream

¹

[ reem ]

noun

1. a standard quantity of paper, consisting of 20 quires or 500 sheets (formerly 480 sheets), or 516 sheets printer's ream, or perfect ream.
2. Usually reams. a large quantity:

   He has written reams of poetry.

ream

²

[ reem ]

verb (used with object)

1. to enlarge to desired size (a previously bored hole) by means of a reamer.
2. to clear with a reamer; remove or press out by reaming.
3. to extract the juice from:

   to ream an orange.

4. Slang.
   1. to scold or reprimand severely (usually followed by out ).
   2. to cheat; defraud.

ream

¹

/ riːm /

noun

1. 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
2. informal.
   often plural a large quantity, esp of written matter

   he wrote reams

ream

²

/ riːm /

verb

1. to enlarge (a hole) by use of a reamer
2. to extract (juice) from (a citrus fruit) using a reamer

Word History and Origins

Origin of ream¹

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

Origin of ream²

First recorded in 1805–15; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of ream¹

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

Origin of ream²

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

Example Sentences

But the best way to go into moving any money is to learn as much as you can about how any changes will affect your situation before you sign a ream of papers.

From Salon

But the best way to go into moving money is to learn as much as you can about how any changes will affect your situation before you sign a ream of papers.

From Salon

There are reams of political science research into the origins of fascism, but understanding it intellectually only goes so far.

From Salon

This was Lamar’s first live set in Southern California since he and Drake scorched the earth with reams of diss tracks that topped charts and changed their legacies forever.

From Los Angeles Times

Contracts have to be checked, original recordings have to be sourced, and streaming services require reams of metadata.

From BBC

Related Words

• batch
• bundle
• scad
• stack
• ton