If you say that there are reamsof paper or reamsof writing, you mean that there are large amounts of it.
[informal]
They have to sort through the reams of information to determine what it may mean. [+ of]
Kelly spent three hours going through reams of paper.
ream in British English1
(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. (often plural) informal
a large quantity, esp of written matter
he wrote reams
Word origin
C14: from Old French raime, from Spanish rezma, from Arabic rizmah bale
ream in British English2
(riːm)
verb(transitive)
1.
to enlarge (a hole) by use of a reamer
2. US
to extract (juice) from (a citrus fruit) using a reamer
Word origin
C19: perhaps from C14 remen to open up, from Old English rӯman to widen
ream in American English1
(rim)
noun
1.
a unit of measure for a quantity of paper: the quantity varies from 480 sheets (20 quires) to 516 sheets, depending on the manufacturer
2. [pl.]; Informal
a great amount
Word origin
ME rem < MFr raime < It risma < Ar rizma, bale, packet < razama, to pack together
ream in American English2
(rim)
verb transitive
1.
a.
to enlarge (a hole) as with a reamer
b.
to enlarge the bore of (a gun)
2.
to countersink or taper (a hole)
3.
to remove (a defect) with a reamer
4. US
to extract the juice from (a lemon, orange, etc.)
5.
to use a reamer on (a pipe bowl)
6. US, Slang
a.
to cheat or deceive
b.
to scold; berate
often with out
Word origin
ME dial. remen < OE reman, akin to ryman, lit., to make roomy < base of rum: see room
In other languages
ream
British English: ream NOUN
If you say that there are reams of paper or reams of writing, you mean that there are large amounts of it.
Their specific task is to sort through the reams of information and try to determine what it may mean.