noun
ream
reem
noun
1
A large standard bundle of paper, traditionally 500 sheets.
"He grabbed a fresh ream of paper for the printer."
2
Informally, a huge amount of documents, data, or writing.
"The lawyers submitted reams of evidence to support their case."
verb
1
To widen or smooth out a hole using a specialized rotating tool.
"The mechanic reamed the bolt hole to fit the larger pin."
2
Informally, to scold someone harshly.
"His boss reamed him out for missing the deadline."
How to Use Ream
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly used for a large bundle of paper (or figuratively, a huge stack of documents) — as a verb it can also mean to widen a hole with a tool, or informally, to yell at someone.
Common pairings
a ream of paper
reams of paperwork
ream someone out
Word Forms
reamed past tense, reamed past tense, reams plural, reams singular, reams singular
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Etymology
From Old English rēam ("cream"); the paper-quantity sense entered English later via Old French and ultimately Arabic rizma, "bundle."