thread

1 of 2

noun

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 adjective
threadlike 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

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
Punch a hole about 1 inch away from top right corner of the card, and insert embroidery thread through it, taking it to the first slit (make sure the thread wraps over the front of the card). Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 Per a recent Reddit thread, however, some Costco locations have begun posting signage to let the public know that the policy will be more widely and strictly enforced soon. Angela L. Pagán / The Takeout, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 In the thread of posts on his X page stemming from his original post, Simmons writes about healthy eating and encouraged his followers to check out his workout videos available on his YouTube channel. Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 The common thread in Lazy Bear’s changing tasting menus is bold flavors presented with flair, says the Michelin Guide. Jenna Anderson, Sunset Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 One example, known as the Snettisham Great Torc, was made from sixty-four threads comprised of over 1 kilogram (or 2.2 pounds) of gold and silver. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 Every thread, every stitch, is laid by hand, precisely as intended. Grace Edquist, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 The general approach of disclosure critics has two threads. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Instead of examining her life from a great height, Nicole is deep within its folds, figuring out what it’s made of and how to hold all its threads together. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Artistic inspiration threads itself through the family’s history. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 18 Mar. 2024 Celebrating their 30th anniversary of touring and recording in the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony flowed through an hour-long set of their greatest hits, while additionally threading in tributes to Eazy-E, Tupac, and Biggie Smalls. Rose Eden, SPIN, 6 Mar. 2024 Axelrod expertly threads that needle, crafting a scene of reconciliation without letting anyone off the hook. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 Two dozen artisans crouch over hand looms threaded with bright-orange and sky-blue cottons. Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Feb. 2024 Rather, make the fish commit by pinching your worm into smaller pieces, threading it onto the hook, and leaving just enough to wiggle. David A. Brown, Field & Stream, 28 Feb. 2024 Themes of duality, of dark and light, of twin identities, of good and evil, of law and lawlessness, and of sanity and madness, thread their way through every decade of Batman comics. Josh Weiss, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Upholsterers achieve this look by threading through layers of fabric or leather, often in a pattern, and securing the ends of the thread with a knot or button. Vicki Payne, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Surgical teams thread a long thin wire called a catheter through blood vessels, starting with a puncture in the groin and reaching the left atrium, the heart’s upper chamber that collects oxygen-rich blood from the lungs, pumping it on to feed the body. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thread.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of thread was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near thread

Cite this Entry

“Thread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thread. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

thread

1 of 2 noun
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 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

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