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sheaf

A bundle of stalks of a grain crop, tied together after harvesting. / A bundle of papers or similar objects held together.
[C] Countable
pl: sheaves

The word evokes a sense of organic clustering and manual gathering. It suggests a volume of items that are physically bound or loosely grouped together, creating a thick, layered mass. While a stack is typically neat and vertical, a sheaf implies a more gathered, perhaps slightly disordered bundle that can be held in one arm.

In modern usage, the term has shifted from the agricultural fields to the office or study. When used with documents, it conveys a feeling of abundance or overwhelming quantity, suggesting a pile of papers that is substantial enough to require gripping with both hands.

A single bound bundle of grain or paper.

Meanings

Noun

A bundle of stalks of a grain crop, tied together after harvesting.

the farmer carried a heavy sheaf of wheat

Noun

A bundle of papers or similar objects held together.

she handed him a sheaf of notes for the meeting

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Last Updated: May 26, 2026Report an Error