thread

The definition of thread is a fine line, streak or string.

(noun)

An example of thread is a thin line of sunlight coming through a covered window.
An example of thread is the string that is used for sewing two pieces of fabric together.

To thread is defined as to string things together or put thread through a needle or into a sewing machine.

(verb)

An example of to thread is making a necklace by stringing beads together.

See thread in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. a light, fine, stringlike length of material made up of two or more fibers or strands of spun cotton, flax, silk, etc. twisted together and used in sewing
2. a similar fine length of synthetic material, as nylon or plastic, or of glass or metal
3. the fine, stringy filament extruded by a spider, silkworm, etc.
4. any of the yarns of which a fabric is woven
5. a fine, stringy length of syrup or other viscous material
any thin line, stratum, vein, stream, ray, etc.
an element suggestive of a thread in being continuous or sequential: the thread of a story
the helical ridge of a screw, bolt, nut, etc.
☆ Slang a suit, or clothes generally

Origin: ME threde < OE thræd (akin to Ger draht) < base of thrawan, to twist: see throw

transitive verb

1. to put a thread through the eye of (a needle, etc.)
2. to arrange thread for use on (a sewing machine)
to string (beads, etc.) on or as if on a thread
to fashion a thread (sense ) on or in (a screw, pipe, etc.)
to interweave with or as if with threads: a red tapestry threaded with gold
1. to pass through by twisting, turning, or weaving in and out: to thread the streets
2. to make (one's way) in this fashion
to pass or feed (tape, film, etc.) into or through (a recorder, projector, etc.)

intransitive verb

to go along or proceed in a winding way
☆ to form a thread when dropped from a spoon: said of boiling syrup that has reached a certain consistency

Related Forms:

See thread in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. Fine cord of a fibrous material, such as cotton or flax, made of two or more filaments twisted together and used in needlework and the weaving of cloth.
b. A piece of such cord.
a. A thin strand, cord, or filament of natural or manufactured material.
b. Something that suggests the fineness or thinness of such a strand, cord, or filament: a thread of smoke.
c. Something that suggests the continuousness of such a strand, cord, or filament: lost the thread of his argument.
A helical or spiral ridge on a screw, nut, or bolt.
Computer Science
a. A portion of a program that can run independently of and concurrently with other portions of the program.
b. A set of posts on a newsgroup, composed of an initial post about a topic and all responses to it.
threads Slang Clothes.

verb thread·ed, thread·ing, threads

verb, transitive

a. To pass one end of a thread through the eye of (a needle, for example).
b. To pass (something) through in the manner of a thread: thread the wire through the opening.
c. To pass a tape or film into or through (a device): thread a film projector.
d. To pass (a tape or film) into or through a device.
To connect by running a thread through; string: thread beads.
a. To make one's way cautiously through: threading dark alleys.
b. To make (one's way) cautiously through something.
To occur here and there throughout; pervade: “More than 90 geologic faults thread the Los Angeles area” (Science News).
To machine a thread on (a screw, nut, or bolt).