noun
thread
threhd
noun
1
A thin, long strand of spun fiber used for sewing or weaving.
"She used red thread to mend the torn sleeve."
2
A connected series of ideas, or a related sequence of messages in an online conversation.
"He lost his train of thought and struggled to find the thread of his argument."
"The forum thread had grown to over two hundred replies."
3
A raised spiral ridge on a screw or bolt that lets it be turned into place.
"The bolt's thread was stripped, so it wouldn't tighten properly."
verb
1
To pass thread through the eye of a needle, or to guide something carefully through a narrow space.
"She threaded the needle in one try."
"He threaded his way through the crowded market."
How to Use Thread
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fine strand used for sewing, or figuratively a connecting line running through a story, conversation, or argument.
Common pairings
lose the thread
thread a needle
forum thread
hang by a thread
Word Forms
threaded past tense, thrid past tense, thridden past tense, threads plural, threads singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “thread”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She used red _____ to mend the torn sleeve.
Etymology
From Old English þrǣd, related to an ancient root meaning "to twist" — the same root that gives us "throw."