thread

THRED/θɹɛd/

Pluralthreads

Verbthreads, threading, threaded

21 meanings of thread

Practice

1
nouncountable or uncountable
A long, thin string of cotton, silk, or other fiber, used for sewing or weaving cloth.
Like a very thin string you use to sew clothes.
She pulled a long piece of thread through the needle.
The button fell off because the thread had snapped.
UsageSay some thread or a needle and thread.
Similaryarn, cotton, strand
Note
2
online postsnouncountable
A set of online messages about one topic, with the replies linked together.
Like a chain of notes where each new reply hangs off the one before it.
I posted a question in the help thread last night.
The whole thread filled up with angry replies.
UsageSay start a thread or reply to a thread.
Similardiscussion, conversation, topic
Note
3
nouncountable
A main idea or line of thought that runs through a story, talk, or argument and connects its parts.
Like a string that links every bead on a necklace into one line.
Forgiveness is the thread running through every chapter of the book.
A single thread of hope ties the whole play together.
UsageSay a common thread, or lose the thread.
Similartheme, strand, motif, line
Note
4
screw ridgenouncountable
The raised line that spirals around a screw or bolt and lets it grip.
Like the bumpy line that lets a jar lid twist on and off.
The thread on this bolt is damaged, so the nut won't turn.
Dirt had clogged the thread, making the screw hard to tighten.
Note
5
computingnouncountable
A small part of a computer program that can run at the same time as other parts.
Like one worker on a team, doing a part of the job while others work too.
Each thread does a different job so the program runs faster.
The app froze when one thread stopped responding.
Note
6
thin filamentnouncountable
A very thin fiber found in nature, like spider silk, or made from glass, plastic, or metal.
Like a tiny hair, but made of glass or metal.
A single thread of spider silk stretched between the branches.
Each thread of glass in the cable carries light.
Similarfilament, fiber, strand
7
for sewingverbtransitive
To put a piece of thread through the small hole in a needle.
Like poking a string through a tiny hole.
Can you thread this needle for me? My eyes are bad.
She threaded the needle on her first try.
UsageThread the needle also means to find a careful middle way.
Oppositeunthread
8
linked seriesnouncountable
A series of messages or events linked one after another.
Like a chain where each link joins to the next one.
Detectives followed a thread of clues from one suspect to the next.
Each name on the list led to the next, forming a single thread.
Similarchain, string, series, trail, sequence
9
verbfigurativelytransitive
To move carefully through a narrow or crowded space, finding a way around things in your path.
Like sliding a string through a small hole, but it's you moving through a tight space.
You have to thread the crowd to reach the stage.
He threaded the narrow path between the rocks.
UsageSay thread your way through a crowd.
Similarnavigate, negotiate
Note
10
cut groovesverbtransitive
To cut a winding line into a bolt or hole so that a screw can twist into place.
Like carving the winding line that lets a cap twist on tightly.
The mechanic threaded the rod so a nut would fit on it.
You need a special tool to thread the hole.
Similartap
Note
11
verbfigurativelytransitive
To pass or push all the way through something, going from one side to the other.
Like a pin going right through a piece of paper.
A narrow beam of light threaded the cracks in the wall.
Throw it hard, and the spear will thread the straw target.
Similarpierce, penetrate, permeate
Note
12
string beadsverbtransitive
To put beads or pearls onto a string by passing it through them.
Like putting rings onto a stick, one after another.
She threaded the beads onto a string to make a necklace.
He likes to thread colorful beads for bracelets.
Similarstring

Less common meanings

13
near collapsenouncountable
Something very thin and weak that is all that keeps something from failing.
Like a heavy bag held up by one thin string.
His job was hanging by a thread after the mistake.
After the big loss, the team's season was hanging by a thread.
Similarknife-edge
Note
14
verbtransitive
To mix or weave something in among other things, as if with thread.
Like weaving colored string through plain cloth to add a pattern.
The writer threaded humor through the sad story.
They thread bright colors into the gray design.
UsageSay threaded with: hair threaded with gray.
Similarweave, interweave, intersperse, sprinkle, scatter
Note
15
remove hairverbtransitive or intransitive
To remove unwanted facial hair using a twisted loop of thread.
Like using a small loop of string to pluck out tiny hairs.
She threaded her eyebrows at the salon.
Many people thread their upper lip instead of waxing.
16
course of lifenouncountable
The course of a person's life seen as one continuous line from birth to death.
Like a single string that runs from the start of a story to its end.
The thread of his life seemed to stretch on without end.
Illness nearly cut the thread of her life that winter.
UsageSay the thread of his life.
17
verbtransitive or intransitive
To put film or tape into a machine so it runs along the right path.
Like sliding a ribbon through the slots of a machine so it can move along.
He threaded the film into the old projector carefully.
Can you thread the camera before the show starts?
UsageSay thread up the projector.
Similarload, feed
18
thin streamnouncountable
A very thin stream of water flowing in a narrow line.
Like a thin line of water from a nearly closed tap.
A thin thread of water ran down the rock face.
Only a thread of water trickled from the old tap.
Similartrickle, rivulet, stream, dribble
19
syrup forms stringsverbintransitive
Of hot syrup, to form a thin string when it drips from a spoon.
Like honey that makes a thin string when it drips off a spoon.
Lift the spoon, and the hot syrup should thread as it drips.
Boil the sugar until it threads off the back of a spoon.
20
nounobsoletefiguratively
The fineness or quality of something, or what kind of thing it is.
A neat courtier, / Of a most elegant thread.
1632, Ben Jonson, “The Magnetick Lady: Or, Humors Reconcil’d. A Comedy”Here, thread means quality or nature, what kind of person he is.
Note
21
noun
The middle line of a stream, halfway between its two banks.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of thread apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English þrǣd, from an older Germanic word linked to a root meaning "rub, twist."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Thread derives from Old English þrǣd. en.wiktionary.org
The Old English word derives from an earlier Germanic word ultimately linked to a root meaning rub or twist. en.wiktionary.org