thread
noun
\ Ëthred
\
\
Definition of thread
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: 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
thread
verb
threaded;
threading;
threads
Definition of thread (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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)
2a(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
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from thread
Noun
threadless
\ Ëthred-lÉs
\
adjective
\
adjective
threadlike
\ Ëthred-ËlÄ«k
\
adjective
\
adjective
Verb
threader
noun
Synonyms for thread
Synonyms: Noun
bristle, fiber, filament, hair
Synonyms: Verb
interlace, intersperse, interweave, lace, salt, weave, wreathe
Visit the Thesaurus for More
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 webVerb
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
His are the threads of a man at the zenith of his power. — Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, "Letâs Talk About the Clothes on âSuccessionâ," 6 Sep. 2019 The mercurial Raiders receiver was the thread that tied Tuesdayâs episode together. — Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, "âHard Knocksâ awards: Antonio Brown delivers tour-de-force performance," 21 Aug. 2019 Lyovochkin was the thread that connected me, Manafort, and his deputy Kostya. — Sam Patten, WIRED, "Kostya and Me: How Sam Patten Got Ensnared in Muellerâs Probe," 14 Aug. 2019 People who took to the streets to express disgust with government mismanagement and corruption were united in focusing their anger on RossellĂł, but now he is gone and there isnât a common thread on how to proceed. — Washington Post, "Puerto Ricans ask âWhatâs next?â as political limbo deepens," 10 Aug. 2019 There is a long thread of email communications with various representatives at Metropolitan Warehouse and Delivery. — Christopher Elliott, courant.com, "Problem Solved: Delivery firm delivered damaged tables," 2 July 2019 There are multiple threads on Amazonâs seller forum asking about whether sellers can put Kirkland products up on Amazon. — Mike Murphy, Quartz, "You donât need a Costco membership to buy Kirkland products online," 26 June 2019 The Order of the Garter ceremony has been a constant thread in their relationship. — PEOPLE.com, "Kate Middleton Attends Order of Garter 11 Years After Making Debut as Prince William's Girlfriend," 17 June 2019 Kinneyâs relatable yelp and slacker-poet songs are the threads sewing it all together. — Matt Wake | [email protected], al.com, "Drivin N Cryin is still going âStraight to Hellâ," 11 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
New England found the end zone again two possessions later when Brady threaded a gorgeous 25-yard pass to Phillip Dorsett between Steelers defenders Mike Hilton and Edmunds. — Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, "Patriots have everything working in an opening rout of Steelers," 8 Sep. 2019 Katie Zelem had been conducting play brilliantly for United and threaded an exquisite ball down the line to find Leah Galton. — Matias Grez, CNN, "'We know how big it potentially could be': City earns bragging rights in first women's Manchester Derby," 7 Sep. 2019 Skewer the meat, threading 4 to 5 pieces onto each 8-inch skewer. — Dallas News, "Fort Worth foodies and TCU football fans team up for 'Texas Tailgate Cookbook'," 20 Aug. 2019 Then in the fourth quarter of that game, Lombardi scrambled to his right and threaded a pass on the run to Dotson in the back of the end zone. — Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State football needs TE Matt Dotson to reach potential, catch ball better," 9 July 2019 While Brandâs needle-threading required the Sixers to dole out a pair of generous contracts, the immediate rewards outweigh the long-term risks. — Ben Golliver, The Denver Post, "76ers emerge from inventive free agency as true contenders," 3 July 2019 These micropiles are formed with high-strength, small-diameter steel casing/threaded bars, which are then reinforced with cement grout pumped into the casing. — Paul Gattis | [email protected], al, "Construction gears up for downtown Huntsville hotel," 22 Aug. 2019 Daniels threaded the needle on more than a few occasions and appeared to be the most poised of the group. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, "Decision in USC quarterback battle is expected soon," 17 Aug. 2019 Moments later, on the same series, Lock threaded a pass in between defenders to Winfree for a 2-point conversion. — Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post, "Broncos rookie Juwann Winfree flashes preseason promise, aims for consistency," 15 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thread.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.