basis weight: Meaning and Definition of

ba'sis weight"

1. the weight in pounds of a ream of paper of a basic size, usually 25 × 38 in. (63 × 96 cm) for book stock, 17 × 22 in. (43 × 55 cm) for writing stock, and 20 × 26 in. (50 × 66 cm) for cover stock. Also called