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
threaded; threading; threads
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
threader
noun
Synonyms
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
Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
Three more benchmarks stress the CPU, using all available cores and threads to rate a PC's suitability for processor-intensive workloads.
—PCMAG, 16 Nov. 2024
Peter A. Berry, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2024
With Yankees fans still smarting from the World Series, moderator Jamie Horowitz threaded the needle between Aaron Judge’s struggles and the foundational skills developed in youth sports.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thread 
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Noun
Their attitudes about the direction of the country also creates frictions in their friendship, a poignant emotional thread that the filmmaker approaches with admirable subtlety.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
Three more benchmarks stress the CPU, using all available cores and threads to rate a PC's suitability for processor-intensive workloads.
—PCMAG, 16 Nov. 2024
Verb
Trending on Billboard That rap fundamentalism is part of a discipline that threads her dual paths, as both an All-SEC guard and an aspiring rap star.
—Peter A. Berry, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2024
With Yankees fans still smarting from the World Series, moderator Jamie Horowitz threaded the needle between Aaron Judge’s struggles and the foundational skills developed in youth sports.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thread
Articles Related to thread
Dictionary Entries Near thread
Cite this Entry
“Thread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thread. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thread
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
thread
2 of 2 verb1
: 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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