thread

1 of 2

noun

ˈthred 

1

a

: a filament, a group of filaments twisted together, or a filamentous length formed by spinning and twisting short textile fibers into a continuous strand

b

: a piece of thread

2

a

: any of various natural filaments

the threads of a spiderweb

b

: a slender stream (as of water)

c

: a projecting helical rib (as in a fitting or on a pipe) by which parts can be screwed together : screw thread

3

: something continuous or drawn out: such as

a

: a line of reasoning or train of thought that connects the parts in a sequence (as of ideas or events)

lost the thread of the story

b

: a continuing element

a thread of melancholy marked all his writing

c

: a series of electronic messages (as on a message board or social media website) following a single topic or in response to a single message

4

: a tenuous or feeble support

hung on by a thread

5

threads plural : clothing

threadless

ˈthred-ləs 

adjective

threadlike

ˈthred-ˌlīk 

adjective

thread

2 of 2

verb

threaded; threading; threads

transitive verb

1

a

: to pass a thread through the eye of (a needle)

b

: to arrange a thread, yarn, or lead-in piece in working position for use in (a machine)

2

a(1)

: to pass something through in the manner of a thread

thread a pipe with wire

(2)

: to pass (something, such as a tape, line, or film) into or through something

threaded a fresh roll of film into the camera

b

: to make one's way through or between

threading narrow alleys

also : to make one's way usually cautiously through a hazardous situation

3

: to put together on or as if on a thread : string

thread beads

4

: to interweave with or as if with threads : intersperse

dark hair threaded with silver

5

: to form a screw thread on or in

intransitive verb

1

: weave sense 2

the car threaded through traffic

2

: to form a thread

threader noun

Synonyms

Noun

• fiber
• wire
• filament
• hair

Verb

• weave
• insert
• salt

Examples of thread in a Sentence

Noun

A thread was hanging from the hem of her coat.

the unwary bug was snared in the sticky threads of the spider's web

Verb

She threaded her shoelace through the holes.

thread film through a camera

They had to thread their way through the crowd.

Waiters threaded through the crowd.

a river that threads through narrow valleys

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The species faces threads from habitat destruction, bushmeat (wild animal meat) hunting, and the mining of coltan, a mineral commonly used in smartphones and laptops, Tanganyika Wildlife Park continued. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 12 July 2025

Find someone to reach out to and grasp onto a thread of hope. —Christine Pelisek, People.com, 11 July 2025

Verb

Instead, Netanyahu, who is seen as a masterful politician by friends and foes alike, is expected to thread the needle. —Joseph Krauss, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025

Maybe Trump will turn out to have threaded the needle after all. —Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English thred, from Old English thrǣd; akin to Old High German drāt wire, Old English thrāwan to cause to twist or turn — more at throw entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing thread

• bean thread
• hang by a thread
• screw thread

Rhymes for thread

• bed
• bled
• bread
• bred
• dead
• dread
• ed
• fed
• fled
• ged
• head
• lead

Kids Definition

thread

1 of 2 noun

ˈthred 

1

: a thin fine cord formed by spinning and twisting short fibers into a continuous strand

2

: something that resembles a thread

threads of a spiderweb

3

: the ridge or groove that winds around a screw

4

: a train of thought that connects the parts in a sequence (as of ideas or events)

lost the thread of the story

threadlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

thread

2 of 2 verb

1

: to put a thread in working position in

thread a needle

2

: to pass through in the manner of a thread

thread film through a camera

3

: to make a way through or between

a river threading narrow valleys

also : to make (one's way) carefully

had to thread their way between the mountains

4

: to put together on a thread : string

thread beads

5

: to weave together with or as if with threads : intersperse

dark hair threaded with gray

threader noun