ream Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a large quantity of written matter
    • he wrote reams and reams
  2. noun a quantity of paper; 480 or 500 sheets; one ream equals 20 quires
  3. verb squeeze the juice out (of a fruit) with a reamer
    • ream oranges
  4. verb remove by making a hole or by boring
    • the dentist reamed out the debris in the course of the root canal treatment
  5. verb enlarge with a reamer
    • ream a hole

WordNet

Ream noun
Etymology
AS. reám, akin to G. rahm.
Definitions
  1. Cream; also, the cream or froth on ale. Scot.
Ream intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cream; to mantle. Scot.
    A huge pewter measuring pot which, in the language of the hostess, reamed with excellent claret. Sir W. Scott.
Ream transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. Reim.
Definitions
  1. To stretch out; to draw out into thongs, threads, or filaments.
Ream noun
Etymology
OE. reme, OF. rayme, F. rame (cf. Sp. resma), fr. Ar. rizma a bundle, especially of paper.
Definitions
  1. A bundle, package, or quantity of paper, usually consisting of twenty quires or 480 sheets. now 500 Knight.
Ream transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. G. räumen to remove, to clear away, fr. raum room. See Room.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Reamed ; present participle & verbal noun Reaming
Definitions
  1. To bevel out, as the mouth of a hole in wood or metal; in modern usage, to enlarge or dress out, as a hole, with a reamer.

Webster 1913