First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1thread
noun \ˈthred\
: a long, thin piece of cotton, silk, etc., used for sewing
: a long, thin line of something
: the raised line that winds around a screw
Full Definition of THREAD
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: 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 newsgroup messages following a single topic
4
: a tenuous or feeble support <hung on by a thread>
See thread defined for English-language learners
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Origin of THREAD
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
2thread
verb
: to put a thread, string, rope, etc., through a hole in something
: to put (film or tape) into a movie camera, tape recorder, etc., so that it is ready to be used
: to move forward by turning and going through narrow spaces
Full Definition of THREAD
transitive verb1
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 (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 2 <the car threaded through traffic>
2
: to form a thread
— thread·er noun
See thread defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THREAD
14th century
Related to THREAD
- Synonyms
- interlace, intersperse, interweave, lace, salt, weave, wreathe
THREADS Defined for Kids
1thread
noun \ˈthred\
Definition of THREAD for Kids
1
: a thin fine cord formed by spinning and twisting short fibers into a continuous strand
2
: a thin fine line or strand of something <a thread of light>
3
: the ridge or groove that winds around a screw
4
: a train of thought that connects the parts of something (as an argument or story)
— thread·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
2thread
verb
thread·edthread·ing
Definition of THREAD for Kids
1
: to put a thread in working position (as in a needle)
2
: to pass something through another thing <Thread the film through the camera.>
3
: to make a way through or between <He rushes on and on … threading his way with perfect skill between tree-trunks … — C. S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe>
4
: to put together on a thread : string
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