ream

1 of 2

noun

ˈrēm How to pronounce ream (audio)
Synonyms of reamnext
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

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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
Meanwhile, Lehrer’s spokesman and lawyers have organized and disseminated to American and Canadian media reams of documents purporting to show that the road dispute was no murder motive. —Nina Burleigh, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 May 2024 For example, when someone signs up to attend an event, Nucleus uses AI to analyze reams of personal data to assign that person a numerical score. —Garance Burke, Fortune, 6 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for ream 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ream.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ream was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ream

real yellowwood

ream

reamage

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Ream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ream. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

ream

1 of 2 noun
ˈrēm How to pronounce ream (audio)
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on ream

Nglish: Translation of ream for Spanish Speakers

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