Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense threads, present participle threading, past tense, past participle threaded
1. variable noun
Thread or a thread is a long very thin piece of a material such as cotton, nylon, or silk, especially one that is used in sewing.
This time I'll do it properly with a needle and thread.
...a tiny Nepalese hat embroidered with golden threads.
Synonyms: strand, fibre, yarn, filament More Synonyms of thread
2. countable noun
The thread of an argument, a story, or a situation is an aspect of it that connects all the different parts together.
The thread running through many of these proposals was the theme of opportunity.
All religions are united by the common threads of fighting evil and helping others.
The possible consequences so filled his mind that he lost the thread of Wan Da'snarrative.
3. countable noun
A threadof something such as liquid, light, or colour is a long thin line or piece of it.
A thin, glistening thread of moisture ran along the rough concrete sill. [+ of]
...Venetian glass decorated with embedded threads of white.
...a corpulent man with threads of black hair plastered across his brow.
4. plural noun
You can refer to clothes as threads.
[mainly US, informal]
...a cheap place to pick up natty threads.
5. countable noun
The thread on a screw, or on something such as a lid or a pipe, is the raised spiral line of metal or plastic around it which allows it to be fixed in place by twisting.
The screw threads will be able to get a good grip.
6. countable noun
On the internet, a thread is a series of messages from different people about a particular subject.
I saw the post but I didn't read the thread below it.
7. verb
If you thread your way through a group of people or things, or threadthrough it, you move through it carefully or slowly, changing direction frequently as youmove.
Slowly, she threaded her way back through the moving mass of bodies. [VERB noun preposition]
...threading our way past little boats. [VERBway preposition/adverb]
We threaded through a network of back streets. [VERB preposition]
Synonyms: move, pass, inch, ease More Synonyms of thread
8. verb
If you thread a long thin object through something, you pass it through one or more holes or narrow spaces.
...threading the laces through the eyelets of his shoes. [V n + through]
Air ducts and electrical cables were threaded through the complex structure. [V n through n]
These instruments allow doctors to thread microscopic telescopes into the digestivetract. [VERB noun + into]
9. verb
If you thread small objects such as beads onto a string or thread, you join them together by pushing the string through them.
Wipe the mushrooms clean and thread them on a string. [VERB noun preposition]
10. verb
When you thread a needle, you put a piece of thread through the hole in the top of the needle in order tosew with it.
I sit down, thread a needle, snip off an old button. [VERB noun]
11.
See to hang by a thread
12.
See pick up the threads of sth
More Synonyms of thread
thread in British English
(θrɛd)
noun
1.
a fine strand, filament or fibre of some material
2.
a fine cord of twisted filaments, esp of cotton, used in sewing, weaving, etc
3.
any of the filaments of which a spider's web is made
4.
any fine line, stream, mark, or piece
from the air, the path was a thread of white
5.
a helical groove in a cylindrical hole (female thread), formed by a tap or lathe tool, or a helical ridge on a cylindrical bar, rod, shank, etc (male thread), formed by a die or lathe tool
6.
a very thin seam of coal or vein of ore
7.
a sequence of messages posted on the internet about a particular topic
8.
something acting as the continuous link or theme of a whole
the thread of the story
9.
the course of an individual's life believed in Greek mythology to be spun, measured, and cut by the Fates
verb
10. (transitive)
to pass (thread, film, magnetic tape, etc) through (something)
to thread a needle
to thread cotton through a needle
11. (transitive)
to string on a thread
she threaded the beads
12.
to make (one's way) through or over (something)
13. (transitive)
to produce a screw thread by cutting, rolling, tapping, or grinding
14. (transitive)
to pervade
hysteria threaded his account
15. (intransitive)
(of boiling syrup) to form a fine thread when poured from a spoon
Derived forms
threader (ˈthreader)
noun
threadless (ˈthreadless)
adjective
threadlike (ˈthreadˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
Old English thrǣd; related to Old Frisian thrēd, Old High German drāt, Old Norse thrāthr thread
thread in American English
(θrɛd)
noun
1.
a.
a light, fine, stringlike length of material made up of two or more fibers or strandsof spun cotton, flax, silk, etc. twisted together and used in sewing
b.
a similar fine length of synthetic material, as nylon or plastic, or of glass or metal
c.
the fine, stringy filament extruded by a spider, silkworm, etc.
d.
any of the yarns of which a fabric is woven
e.
a fine, stringy length of syrup or other viscous material
2.
any thin line, stratum, vein, stream, ray, etc.
3.
an element suggestive of a thread in being continuous or sequential
the thread of a story
4.
the helical ridge of a screw, bolt, nut, etc.
5. US; [pl.]; Slang
a suit, or clothes generally
verb transitive
6.
a.
to put a thread through the eye of (a needle, etc.)
b.
to arrange thread for use on (a sewing machine)
7.
to string (beads, etc.) on or as if on a thread
8.
to fashion a thread (sense 4) on or in (a screw, pipe, etc.)
9.
to interweave with or as if with threads
a red tapestry threaded with gold
10.
a.
to pass through by twisting, turning, or weaving in and out
to thread the streets
b.
to make (one's way) in this fashion
11.
to pass or feed (tape, film, etc.) into or through (a recorder, projector, etc.)
verb intransitive
12.
to go along or proceed in a winding way
13. US
to form a thread when dropped from a spoon
said of boiling syrup that has reached a certain consistency
Derived forms
threader (ˈthreader)
noun
threadlike (ˈthreadˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
ME threde < OE thræd (akin to Ger draht) < base of thrawan, to twist: see throw
thread in Mechanical Engineering
(θrɛd)
Word forms: (regular plural) threads
noun
(Mechanical engineering: General)
A thread is a helical-shaped groove cut in a cylindrical hole (the female thread), or a helical-shapedridge on a cylindrical bar, rod, shank, etc (the male thread).
A tap is used to cut the helical groove that fits the thread of the screw.
A threading die is used to cut threads on a pipe.
A thread is a helical-shaped groove cut in a cylindrical hole, or a helical-shaped ridge ona cylindrical bar, rod, shank, etc.
More idioms containing
thread
hang by a thread
someone's life hangs by a thread
COBUILD Collocations
thread
common thread
Examples of 'thread' in a sentence
thread
Early family prosperity had come from cotton thread manufacturing.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Thread 1 piece on to the stick so it is on top of the first marshmallow.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A threaded pass and Spurs are in.
The Sun (2017)
Find one thread close to the edge of the fold of the hem, and insert your needle there, then come back up through the fold.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The monarchy acts as a golden thread coursing through the rich tapestry of our shared history.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Let me now pull together the threads of my argument.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
Thread one prawn and a slice of lime on to eight skewers and set aside.
The Sun (2013)
Palace were threading through passes a little too easily.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The thread is too fine for you to see it.
George MacDonald The Princess and the Goblin (1872)
Tie the ribbon or thread around the duct tape.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This common genetic thread linking all tumours gives us grounds for considerable optimism.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
For two weeks he hung on to life by a thread.
Christianity Today (2000)
You need a green thread running through all political parties.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They seem to lie concealed like puppet strings threaded through generation after generation of the human race.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
With a needle and thread he then ties off the blood vessel.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My poor hay has not a dry thread to its back.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They may make you lose the thread of your thought.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
Some thin thread connecting these seemingly random acts of criminal activity?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The choreographer has merely to pick up the thread and run.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Thread pieces of chicken onto skewers with a sage leaf in between each.
The Sun (2014)
Our lives are all interwoven by the golden thread.
Gifford, Zerbanoo The Golden Thread - Asian experiences of post-Raj Britain (1990)
It is all but impossible to follow any single thread of an argument.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Thread one or two prawns on to each skewer.
The Sun (2014)
Make sure there are no loose threads hanging or buttons about to pop off that would give you an unkempt appearance.
Hopkins, Tom The Guide to Greatness in Sales (1994)
The flashback over, we pick up again the thread of the embroidered story.
Andrew Bridgeford 1066: and the Hidden History of the Bayeux Tapestry (2004)
First the technician threaded my brows, then she dyed them one shade darker than my natural tone.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Shall I come in and cut off yours threads?
Beatrix Potter The Tales of Beatrix Potter (1930)
Word lists with
thread
America
In other languages
thread
British English: thread /θrɛd/ NOUN
Thread or a thread is a long very thin piece of a material such as cotton, nylon, or silk, especially one that is used in sewing.
This time I'll do it properly with a needle and thread.
American English: thread
Arabic: خَيْط
Brazilian Portuguese: fio
Chinese: 线
Croatian: konac
Czech: nit
Danish: tråd
Dutch: draad
European Spanish: hilo
Finnish: lanka
French: fil
German: Faden
Greek: κλωστή
Italian: filo
Japanese: 糸
Korean: 실
Norwegian: hyssing
Polish: nitka
European Portuguese: fio
Romanian: ață
Russian: нить
Latin American Spanish: hilo
Swedish: tråd
Thai: ด้าย
Turkish: iplik
Ukrainian: нитка
Vietnamese: sợi
British English: thread VERB
When you thread a needle, you put a piece of thread through the hole in the top of the needle in order to sew with it.
I sit down, thread a needle, snip off an old button.
American English: thread
Brazilian Portuguese: enfiar
Chinese: 穿针
European Spanish: enhebrar
French: enfiler
German: einfädeln
Italian: infilare
Japanese: 糸を通す
Korean: 바늘에 실을 꿰다
European Portuguese: enfiar
Latin American Spanish: enhebrar
All related terms of 'thread'
male thread
a helical ridge on a cylindrical bar, rod, shank , etc, formed by a die or lathe tool
silk thread
thread that is manufactured from silk
thread mark
a mark put into paper money to prevent counterfeiting , consisting of a pattern of silk fibres
thread vein
a small red or purple capillary near to the surface of the skin
common thread
The thread of an argument, a story, or a situation is an aspect of it that connects all the different parts together.
female thread
a helical groove in a cylindrical hole formed by a tap or lathe tool
screw thread
the helical ridge on a screw formed by a die or lathe tool
single thread
the execution of an entire task from beginning to end without interruption
basting thread
inexpensive , loosely twisted thread that can be easily pulled out when permanent stitching is in place
buttress thread
a screw thread having one flank that is vertical while the other is inclined , and a flat top and bottom : used in machine tools and designed to withstand heavy thrust in one direction
thread rolling
the production of a screw thread by a rolling swaging process using hardened profiled rollers . Rolled threads are stronger than threads machined by a cutting tool
embroidery thread
a thread used for embroidery
acme screw thread
a type of screw thread having inclined flat flanks and a flat top and bottom : used in machine tools
drawn-thread work
ornamental needlework done by drawing threads out of the fabric and using the remaining threads to form lacelike patterns
hang by a thread
to be very likely to fail soon
Sellers screw thread
a thread form in a system of standard sizes proposed by Sellers in 1884 and later accepted as standard in the USA, having a 60° flank angle with a flat top and foot
unified screw thread
a screw thread system introduced for defence equipment (1939–44), in which the thread form and pitch were a compromise between British Standard Whitworth and American Standard Sellers : adopted by the International Standards Organization
to hang by a thread
If you say that something is hanging by a thread , you mean that it is in a very uncertain state and is unlikely to survive or succeed .
Whitworth screw thread
a thread form and system of standard sizes , proposed by Whitworth in 1841 and adopted as standard in the U. K ., having a flank angle of 55° and a rounded top and foot
lisle
a strong fine cotton thread or fabric
international screw thread
a metric system for screw threads relating the pitch to the diameter
British Association screw thread
a system of screw sizes designated from 0 to 25. Now superseded by standard metric sizes
British Standard brass thread
a Whitworth screw thread having 26 threads per inch , used for thin-walled tubing and designated by the diameter of the tubing
British Standard fine thread
a screw thread having a Whitworth profile but a finer pitch for a given diameter
British Standard pipe thread
a screw thread of Whitworth profile used for piping and designated by the bore of the pipe
British Standard Whitworth thread
a thread form and system of standard sizes , proposed by Whitworth in 1841 and adopted as standard in the U. K ., having a flank angle of 55° and a rounded top and foot
someone's life hangs by a thread
said to mean that someone is seriously ill and that they are very likely to die soon
drawn work
ornamental needlework done by drawing threads out of the fabric and using the remaining threads to form lacelike patterns
Chinese translation of 'thread'
thread
(θrɛd)
n
(c/u) (= yarn) 线(線) (xiàn) (根, gēn)
(c)[of screw]螺纹(紋) (luówén) (圈, quān)
(c) (of story, account) 思路 (sīlù)
vt
[needle]穿 (chuān)
(= join with string) 串 (chuàn)
to thread one's way between/through小心翼翼地穿过(過) (xiǎoxīn yìyì de chuānguò)
1 (noun)
Definition
a fine cord of twisted yarns, esp. of cotton, used in sewing or weaving
a hat embroidered with golden threads
Synonyms
strand
high fences, topped by strands of barbed wire
fibre
a variety of coloured fibres
yarn
vegetable-dyed yarn
filament
Some models use a carbon filament.
line
a piece of fishing line
string
He held out a small bag tied with string.
cotton
twine
a ball of twine
2 (noun)
Definition
something acting as the continuous link or theme of a whole
the thread running through the book
Synonyms
theme
motif
the motif of magical apples in fairytales
train of thought
course
direction
They threatened a mass walk-out if the party did not change direction.
strain
She could hear the tinny strains of a chamber orchestra.
plot
the plot of a cheap spy novel
drift
She was beginning to get his drift.
tenor
The whole tenor of discussions has changed.
story line
1 (verb)
Definition
to make (one's way) through a crowd of people or group of objects
She threaded her way back through the crowd.
Synonyms
move
pass
She passed a hand through her hair.
inch
ease
I eased my way towards the door.
thrust
meander
squeeze through
pick your way
2 (verb)
Thread the shock absorber through the large opening.
Synonyms
pass
move
The hearings moved me to come up with these suggestions.
push
I pushed through the crowds and on to the escalator.
work
Rescuers were still working their way towards the trapped men.
inch
ease
string
He had strung a banner across the wall.
thrust
They thrust him into the back of a jeep.
poke
Lindy poked him in the ribs.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of direction
They threatened a mass walk-out if the party did not change direction.
Synonyms
tendency,
attitude,
bent,
current,
trend,
leaning,
drift,
bias,
orientation,
tack,
tenor,
proclivity (formal)
in the sense of drift
Definition
the main point of an argument or speech
She was beginning to get his drift.
Synonyms
meaning,
point,
gist,
aim,
direction,
object,
import,
intention,
implication,
tendency,
significance,
thrust,
tenor,
purport
in the sense of ease
Definition
to move into or out of a place or situation slowly and carefully
I eased my way towards the door.
Synonyms
move carefully,
edge,
guide,
slip,
inch,
slide,
creep,
squeeze,
steer,
manoeuvre
Synonyms of 'thread'
thread
Explore 'thread' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fibre
Definition
a threadlike animal or plant tissue
a variety of coloured fibres
Synonyms
thread,
strand,
filament,
tendril,
pile,
texture,
staple,
wisp,
fibril
in the sense of filament
Definition
a single strand of fibre
Some models use a carbon filament.
Synonyms
strand,
string,
wire,
fibre,
thread,
staple,
wisp,
cilium,
fibril,
pile
in the sense of line
Definition
a wire or string with a particular function
a piece of fishing line
Synonyms
string,
cable,
wire (old-fashioned),
strand,
rope,
thread,
cord,
filament,
wisp
in the sense of motif
Definition
a distinctive idea, esp. a theme elaborated on in a piece of music or literature
the motif of magical apples in fairytales
Synonyms
theme,
idea,
subject,
concept,
leitmotif,
trope
in the sense of plot
Definition
the story of a play, novel, or film
the plot of a cheap spy novel
Synonyms
story,
action,
subject,
theme,
outline,
scenario,
narrative,
thread,
story line
in the sense of poke
Definition
to jab or prod with an elbow, finger, etc.
Lindy poked him in the ribs.
Synonyms
jab,
hit,
push,
stick,
dig,
punch,
stab,
thrust,
butt,
elbow,
shove,
nudge,
prod
in the sense of push
Definition
to thrust (one's way) through something, such as a crowd
I pushed through the crowds and on to the escalator.
Synonyms
make or force your way,
move,
shoulder,
inch,
squeeze,
thrust,
elbow,
shove,
jostle,
work your way,
thread your way
in the sense of strain
She could hear the tinny strains of a chamber orchestra.
Synonyms
tune,
air,
melody,
measure (poetic),
lay,
song,
theme
in the sense of string
Definition
thin cord or twine used for tying, hanging, or binding things
He held out a small bag tied with string.
Synonyms
cord,
yarn,
twine,
wire,
strand,
rope,
fibre,
thread,
hawser,
ligature
in the sense of string
Definition
to hang or stretch (something) from one point to another
He had strung a banner across the wall.
Synonyms
hang,
stretch,
suspend,
sling,
thread,
loop,
festoon
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tenor
Definition
a general meaning or character
The whole tenor of discussions has changed.
Synonyms
meaning,
trend,
drift,
way,
course,
sense,
aim,
purpose,
direction,
path,
theme,
substance,
burden,
tendency,
intent,
purport
in the sense of thrust
Definition
to push (someone or something) with force
They thrust him into the back of a jeep.
Synonyms
push,
force,
shove,
drive,
press,
plunge,
jam,
butt,
ram,
poke,
propel,
prod,
impel
in the sense of twine
Definition
string or cord made by twisting fibres together
a ball of twine
Synonyms
string,
cord,
yarn,
strong thread
in the sense of work
Definition
to make (one's way) with effort
Rescuers were still working their way towards the trapped men.
Synonyms
progress,
move,
force,
manoeuvre,
make your way
in the sense of yarn
Definition
a continuous twisted strand of natural or synthetic fibres, used for knitting or making cloth