Entry 5 senses · 5 variants Webster, 1913 Ream /(rēm)/ · IPA /ɹiːm/ n. v. i. v. t. n. v. t. 01 n. Cream; also, the cream or froth on ale. 1. Cream; also, the cream or froth on ale.[Scot.] 02 v. i. To cream; to mantle. 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. 03 v. t. To stretch out; to draw out into thongs, threads, or filaments. 1. To stretch out; to draw out into thongs, threads, or filaments. 04 n. A bundle, package, or quantity of paper, usually consisting of twenty quires or 480 sheets. 1. A bundle, package, or quantity of paper, usually consisting of twenty quires or 480 sheets. Phrases & compounds Printer's ream — twenty-one and a half quires. [Eng.] A common practice is now to count five hundred sheets to the ream. 05 v. t. 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. imp. & p. p. Reamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Reaming 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.