thread

noun

/θred/

Idioms

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[uncountable, countable] a thin string of cotton, wool, silk, etc. used for sewing or making cloth
- a needle and thread
- a robe embroidered with gold thread
- the delicate threads of a spider’s web
- You've pulled a thread in your jumper.
Wordfinder
- baste
- bind
- embroidery
- hem
- lining
- seam
- sew
- stitch
- tack
- thread
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- strong
- delicate
- fine
- …
… of thread
- length
- piece
verb + thread
- spin
- pull
- cut
- …
phrases
- hanging by a thread
- needle and thread
See full entry
[countable] an idea or a feature that is part of something greater; an idea that connects the different parts of something
- A common thread runs through these discussions.
- The author skilfully draws together the different threads of the plot.
- I lost the thread of the argument (= I could no longer follow it).
- The speaker lost his thread (= forgot what he wanted to say) halfway through the talk.
see also golden thread
Extra Examples
- As the film progresses, the threads of the plot slowly begin to unravel.
- I found it hard to follow the main thread of his argument.
- On studying the different historians' accounts, common threads emerge.
- Apart from one or two loose threads, the police now had the complete picture of what happened.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- central
- main
- common
- …
verb + thread
- have
- follow
- trace
- …
thread + verb
- run through something
- connect
- link
- …
See full entry
[countable] thread (of something) a long, thin line of something
- A thread of light emerged from the keyhole.
- a silvery thread of water
- Thin threads of blood glittered on his forehead and cheeks.
[countable] (computing) a series of connected messages on email, social media, etc. that have been sent by different peopleTopics Phones, email and the internetc1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- comment
- discussion
verb + thread
- open
- start
See full entry
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[countable] the raised line that runs around the length of a screw and that allows it to be fixed in place by twisting
threads
[plural] (North American English, old-fashioned, informal) clothes

Word OriginOld English thrǣd (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch draad and German Draht, also to the verb throw. The verb dates from late Middle English.

Idioms

hang by a hair/thread

(of a person’s life) to be in great dangerTopics Dangerc2

pick up the threads

to return to an earlier situation or way of life after a period doing something else

thread

verb

/θred/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they thread	/θred/ /θred/
he / she / it threads	/θredz/ /θredz/
past simple threaded	/ˈθredɪd/ /ˈθredɪd/
past participle threaded	/ˈθredɪd/ /ˈθredɪd/
-ing form threading	/ˈθredɪŋ/ /ˈθredɪŋ/

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[transitive] thread something (+ adv./prep.) to pass something long and thin, especially thread, through a narrow opening or hole
- to thread a needle (with cotton)
- to thread cotton through a needle
- A tiny wire is threaded through a vein to the heart.
[intransitive, transitive] to move or make something move through a narrow space, avoiding things that are in the way synonym pick your way
- + adv./prep. The waiters threaded between the crowded tables.
- thread your way + adv./prep. It took me a long time to thread my way through the crowd.
[transitive] thread something (onto something) to join two or more objects together by passing something long and thin through them
- to thread beads (onto a string)
- Thread the cubes of meat and vegetables onto metal skewers.
[transitive] thread something to pass film, tape, string, etc. through parts of a piece of equipment so that it is ready to use
[transitive, usually passive] thread something (with something) to sew or twist a particular type of thread into something
- a robe threaded with gold and silver

Word OriginOld English thrǣd (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch draad and German Draht, also to the verb throw. The verb dates from late Middle English.