DictionaryAI

threat

THRET/θɹɛt/

Pluralthreats

5 meanings of threat

Practice

  1. 1
    source of dangernouncountable
    A person or thing seen as dangerous to others.

    Like a fierce animal that could hurt anyone who comes near.

    That dog is a real threat to small children.

    Speeding drivers are a threat to everyone on the road.

    UsageSay something poses a threat to people, or is a threat to them.

    Similarmenace, danger, hazard

    Note
  2. 2
    promise to hurtnouncountable or uncountable
    A warning that you will hurt or punish someone.

    Like telling someone you will hurt them so they get scared.

    He made a threat against his neighbor after the argument.

    The letter contained several threats of violence.

    UsageYou make a threat against someone. The verb is threaten.

    Similarwarning

    Note
  3. 3
    nouncountable or uncountable
    A sign that something dangerous may happen.

    Like dark clouds that warn a storm is on the way.

    The threat of rain kept many people home from the fair.

    Doctors warned about the threat of infection after the surgery.

    UsageSay the threat of rain, the threat of frost.

    Similardanger, risk, peril

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    verbarchaictransitive or intransitive
    An old word for threaten: to say or show that you will hurt someone.
  2. 5
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To push or force someone to do something.

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Origins

Meanings 1–3

From Old English þrēat, meaning a crowd, force, or pressure. It goes back to an old root meaning to push or press.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • Threat derives from Old English þrēat, meaning crowd, force, or pressure. en.wiktionary.org
  • The word ultimately derives from a root meaning to push or press. en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 4–5

From Old English þrēatian, meaning to press, oppress, or threaten.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts