Definition

1. Noun:

   • A standardized quantity of paper: A "ream" is a specific unit of measurement for paper, typically consisting of 480, 500, or 516 sheets. One ream is equal to 20 quires.
   • A large, often excessive, quantity of written material: Informally, "ream" (often used in the plural form "reams") refers to a very large amount of writing or paperwork.

2. Verb:

   • To enlarge or shape a hole: To "ream" is to widen, smooth, or shape the inside of a hole using a specialized tool called a reamer.
   • To remove material by boring or drilling: To "ream" can mean to clear out debris or material from a hole or channel.
   • To extract juice from a fruit: To "ream" is to squeeze the juice out of a citrus fruit, typically using a reamer (a ridged, conical kitchen tool).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Please buy a ream of printer paper for the office.
  • The student handed in reams of research for her thesis.
  • He wrote reams and reams of poetry in his youth.

• Verb:

  • The machinist will ream the hole to ensure a perfect fit for the bolt.
  • The dentist reamed out the infected canal during the root canal procedure.
  • She used a lemon reamer to ream the citrus fruits for the fresh juice.

Advanced Usage

• "to ream someone out" (idiomatic, informal): To reprimand or criticize someone severely and at length.
  • The manager reamed out the employee for the repeated mistake.

Variants and Related Words

• Reamer (n): 1. A tool for enlarging or finishing holes. 2. A kitchen utensil for extracting juice from citrus fruits.
• Reaming (n/gerund): The action or process of using a reamer.

Synonyms

• Noun (for large quantity): Piles, stacks, volumes, masses.
• Verb (for enlarging a hole): Widen, bore out, enlarge, hone.
• Verb (for extracting juice): Squeeze, press, extract.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Idioms

• Ream out: This phrasal verb has two distinct meanings:
  • To clean, widen, or hollow out by reaming (literal).

    • The plumber reamed out the clogged pipe.
  • To reprimand someone harshly (figurative, informal).

    • His coach reamed him out for missing practice.

Noun

1. a quantity of paper; 480 or 500 sheets; one ream equals 20 quires
2. a large quantity of written matter
   • he wrote reams and reams

Verb

1. enlarge with a reamer
   • ream a hole
2. remove by making a hole or by boring
   • the dentist reamed out the debris in the course of the root canal treatment
3. squeeze the juice out (of a fruit) with a reamer
   • ream oranges